March 17, 2020 (WASHINGTON) – This statement is delivered on behalf of the Modernizing Foreign Assistance Network (MFAN) by Co-Chairs Lester Munson, Larry Nowels, and Tessie San Martin.
Yesterday, U.S. Agency for International Development Administrator Mark Green announced his departure following two and a half years in the role.
Green has led USAID’s Transformation process and spearheaded the development of his signature Journey to Self-Reliance framework. MFAN has worked to shape both the Transformation and formulation of the Journey to Self-Reliance to ensure that these incorporate the coalition’s principles of effective foreign aid.
MFAN has been supportive of many positive elements of these reforms and looks forward to working with USAID’s leadership, to ensure successful implementation. The network is also optimistic that the positive reforms ushered in by Mark Green will continue in the years to come.
“Mark was a strong choice by the President to lead the agency during this time,” said Lester Munson, MFAN Co-Chair and Principal at BGR Group. “He is committed to effective and meaningful foreign assistance and crafted a solid set of policies as part of the Journey to Self-Reliance. Mark provided steady leadership for USAID at a difficult time in its history and I can say with certainty that he will be missed.”
Tessie San Martin, MFAN Co-Chair and CEO of Plan International USA, said: “The Development community has been impressed by the work of Mark Green and the meaningful reforms put in place during his tenure. From reorganizing the agency to reforming procurement practices, Green set forth to address some critical effectiveness issues that we hope continues after his departure.”
“We have been fortunate to work with Mark Green for the last two and a half years on issues of aid effectiveness at USAID,” said MFAN Co-Chair Larry Nowels. “MFAN will keep advocating for the changes Green has brought about and we look forward to continuing to engage USAID after his departure.”
