“Build trust. Drive strategy. Deliver impact.”

Kathryn Davis Stevens is a distinguished senior international development professional whose nearly three decades of work across the globe exemplify leadership, resilience, and purpose. With a deep commitment to community-based development and humanitarian assistance, Kathryn has served in some of the world’s most complex and politically sensitive environments. Her career, which spans eight countries and several pivotal roles within USAID, underscores her passion for building systems, empowering local actors, and advancing U.S. foreign policy through sustainable development.

Kathryn’s professional journey began in the crucible of conflict-affected regions. Her early career with USAID took her to the West Bank and Gaza, where she laid the groundwork for democratic governance programs. Her capacity to navigate volatile political landscapes became a hallmark of her leadership, further honed during critical assignments in Serbia and Ukraine, where she launched large-scale elections observation missions and helped establish Serbia’s first Organized Crime and War Crimes court.

Her expertise deepened as she took on increasingly senior roles, eventually serving as Deputy Mission Director in Russia, India, and Afghanistan. In India, she leveraged public-private partnerships to quadruple U.S. Government investment impact, while in Kabul she supported the recovery of the American University of Afghanistan following a terrorist attack—demonstrating not only managerial acumen but also unwavering moral courage.

From 2021 to 2023, Kathryn served as USAID Mission Director in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Leading a team of 160 U.S. and Bangladeshi professionals, she spearheaded a $400 million annual portfolio that prioritized locally-led development and humanitarian aid. Her initiatives to increase direct funding to local Bangladeshi organizations and her crisis response efforts for Rohingya refugees were widely acknowledged as transformative. Under her direction, USAID/Bangladesh’s digital presence surged, reflecting her belief in open, effective communication and local engagement.

Her impact was not confined to field missions. As Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator and Acting Chief Human Capital Officer, she led strategic workforce reform for USAID’s 12,000-strong global staff. Kathryn modernized performance management for the Senior Foreign Service, introduced new accountability measures, and testified before Congress on the agency’s return-to-work strategy. She also played a key role in USAID’s COVID-19 task force, ensuring transparent and timely internal communications across missions during a time of global crisis.

In her most recent role as Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Asia Bureau, Kathryn established a new office to deepen collaboration between USAID and partners such as ASEAN, QUAD, and key bilateral donors. Her diplomatic finesse and policy insight guided multilateral engagements across Thailand, Laos, and the United Nations General Assembly, positioning USAID as a catalyst for regional resilience and cooperation on issues like climate change.

Kathryn’s leadership is characterized by strategic clarity and collaborative execution. She has consistently built high-performing teams, instituted coaching and mentoring programs, and championed gender equity and youth development. Her ability to scale programs—such as growing a zero-dollar education initiative into a $162 million portfolio in Bangladesh—underscores her strengths in vision, stakeholder alignment, and fiscal stewardship.

Academically, Kathryn holds an M.A. with honors in Russian Area Studies from the Georgetown School of Foreign Service and a B.A. in History, magna cum laude, from Duke University. She is fluent in Russian, a certified yoga instructor, and a passionate advocate for cross-cultural learning. Her volunteer work with Afghan refugee families through NovaRAFT demonstrates her enduring commitment to humanitarian values and community upliftment, even beyond her official duties.

Her approach to international development is both pragmatic and people-centered. She blends technical expertise in human resources, legislative affairs, and systems thinking with deep cultural sensitivity and emotional intelligence. Her success lies not only in managing complexity but in transforming it into opportunity—whether advocating for local NGOs ahead of national elections or coordinating multi-donor forums to preserve civic space.

Now entering a new phase in her career, Kathryn seeks to bring her wealth of global experience to advisory and board roles. She is drawn to organizations—regardless of industry—that share her belief in responsible growth, strategic foresight, and inclusive leadership. With no preference for company size, she values established institutions ready to evolve and expand their impact on the world stage.

Character:
Kathryn leads with empathy, integrity, and a steadfast commitment to equity. Her moral compass guides her through difficult decisions, allowing her to earn trust and respect in even the most challenging international contexts.

Knowledge:
Her 26 years of frontline experience in diplomacy, humanitarian aid, and public policy reflect an unmatched depth of sectoral and geopolitical insight. Kathryn’s academic foundation and continuous field learning have made her a sought-after thought partner in strategic planning and organizational transformation.

Strategic:
Kathryn possesses a rare ability to connect macro-level objectives with tactical execution. Her work transforming USAID operations in South Asia and beyond exemplifies a leader who not only sees the big picture but builds the bridges to achieve it.

Communication:
As a speaker, mentor, and internal communications architect, Kathryn crafts narratives that inspire, unify, and clarify. Her transparent, engaging style has fostered trust among teams, donors, local communities, and policymakers alike.