Ms. Mikaela Meredith was sworn in as the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Country Representative in Albania on June 22, 2018, and assumed her position on July 26, 2018. She was sworn in by USAID Assistant Administrator for Europe and Eurasia Brock Bierman, who congratulated Ms. Meredith on her new position.

During this ceremony, Assistant Administrator Bierman also thanked Ms. Meredith for her previous role as USAID Mission Director in Azerbaijan, where she led USAID programs to increase economic opportunities for rural communities and strengthen civil society. He also noted her leadership in helping Azerbaijan expand trade and integrate into the regional economy.

U.S. Embassy Tirana Deputy Chief of Mission David Muniz says, “Albania is excited to have Mikaela Meredith as the new USAID Country Representative, and we look forward to seeing her continue USAID’s great work on justice, local governance, economic growth and preventing violent extremism.”

Ms. Meredith arrives to Albania with nearly 30 years of experience with USAID. From 2010-2015, she served in USAID’s headquarters in Washington D.C. as the Deputy for the Agency’s Africa Ebola Unit; Director of the Office of Southern African Affairs; and, Director of the Office of East African Affairs. She also served as a foreign service officer in Nigeria, Yemen and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Since 1992, USAID has been active in Albania as it transitioned from a Communist dictatorship to a new democracy. Among USAID’s achievements in Albania are reforms on e-governance; financial sector security; election systems; anti-corruption and justice sector strengthening; energy; territorial and urban planning; agriculture; health; civil society; and gender integration.

On behalf of the American people, USAID promotes and demonstrates democratic values abroad, and advances a free, peaceful, and prosperous world.  In support of America's foreign policy, USAID leads the U.S. Government's international development and disaster assistance through partnerships and investments that save lives, reduce poverty, strengthen democratic governance, and help people emerge from humanitarian crises and progress beyond assistance.