Patrick Diskin serves as the Mission Director for the U.S. Agency for International Development Mission in Somalia.  He has been posted in Africa with USAID for the past 20 years.  Mr. Diskin has also served as USAID Mission Director in Zambia and Deputy Mission Director in South Sudan. Prior to that he worked with USAID Food for Peace programs, while based at several posts:  East Africa/Kenya (2011-2014 and 2000-2002); South Africa (2002-2011); Guinea (1999-2000); Mali (1998-1999); and Liberia (1997-1998).  

Mr. Diskin studied Agricultural Economics at Michigan State University (Ph.D. candidate), carrying out grain market research in Ethiopia.  He has a master’s degree in International Development Studies from Ohio University and a bachelor’s degree in Education from Northwestern University.  Mr. Diskin was a Peace Corps Volunteer in 1987, serving as a teacher in rural Botswana.