Jo Lesser-Oltheten was sworn in as USAID Mission Director to Niger on August 17, 2020.  She previously served in Washington as director of Southern African Affairs. She has served for over twenty years in Asia and Africa. Her last assignment was deputy mission director in Uganda.  Ms. Lesser-Oltheten previously served in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Mali and Guinea. Her portfolios have included food security, disaster and humanitarian assistance, economic growth, and education. Ms. Lesser-Oltheten is a member of the Senior Foreign Service.