John Groarke

As Mission Director for USAID/Southern Africa, John Groarke is responsible for all USAID programming in southern Africa, including bilateral programs in South Africa, Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho and eSwatini, as well as regional programming managed out of South Africa. USAID/Southern Africa’s programs promote trade and investment, combat gender-based violence, increase basic literacy, improve access to energy, combat wildlife crime and confront the dual epidemics of HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis.

As USAID/Pakistan Mission Director from 2015 to 2017, Mr. Groarke led a $2.5 billion program promoting Pakistan’s development and the reconstruction of its conflict-affected border with Afghanistan. From 2013 to 2015, Mr. Groarke served as the Mission Director for USAID/Haiti, leading a $2.2 billion program supporting Haiti’s recovery from a devastating earthquake. As the Mission Director for USAID/Morocco between 2009 and 2013, Mr. Groarke led a program supporting the Government of Morocco's political and economic reforms during a time of regional transition. In 2010, Mr. Groarke was detailed to Afghanistan to lead USAID’s efforts to implement the U.S. Government’s new counter-insurgency strategy. He previously served as the Deputy Mission Director for USAID/Egypt (2006–2009) and USAID/Iraq (2005–2006). Mr. Groarke served as the Senior Regional Legal Advisor for Egypt and Iraq (2002–2005); in 2003, he helped open the Agency’s Baghdad mission in the aftermath of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Mr. Groarke was a Regional Legal Advisor for various countries while based in Dakar, Senegal (1999–2002) and Dhaka, Bangladesh (1996–1999).

Mr. Groarke was born and raised in New York City. He obtained a Bachelor’s degree from New York University, a Master’s degree from The London School of Economics and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania and is a member of the Senior Foreign Service, class of Career Minister.

Rebecca Krzywda

USAID/Southern Africa Deputy Mission Director

Rebecca O. Krzywda is a Senior Foreign Service Officer and joined USAID/Southern Africa as Deputy Mission Director in August 2016.  Prior to arriving in Pretoria, Ms. Krzywda served as the Controller at USAID/Pakistan from 2015 to 2016 and was the Controller at USAID/Serbia from 2011 to 2015. Since joining USAID as a Foreign Service Officer in 1999, Ms. Krzywda has worked in USAID missions in the Philippines, Nigeria, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Serbia and Pakistan. 

Ms. Krzywda received a Bachelor's degree in Business and a Master’s degree in Accounting from the George Washington University in Washington, D.C., and is a Certified Public Accountant.