J. Brian Atwood

Who is J. Brian Atwood?

John Brian Atwood is a diplomat and former Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development. From 2002 to 2010, he was dean of the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota. In 2010 he was nominated by the Obama Administration to serve as the Chair of the Development Assistance Committee at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

After joining the Foreign Service in 1966, he served in Côte d'Ivoire and Spain. He was Assistant Secretary of State for Congressional Relations during the Carter administration, and also served in the Foreign Service Institute as dean of Professional Studies and Academic Affairs. From 1986 to 1993 he served as the first president of the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs. From 1993 to 1999 he served as Administrator of USAID, receiving the Department of State Secretary's Distinguished Service Award.

He received a bachelor’s degree in government and history from Boston University, and an honorary doctorate from American University. He is a member of the American Academy of Diplomacy and Council on Foreign Relations.