Silver Spring Woman Named Acting Director of Peace Corps

Carol Spahn of Silver Spring has been named acting director of the Peace Corps.

President Joe Biden named her as acting director on Jan. 20. She is expected to serve in that capacity until the President selects someone to permanently fill the position.

“It is an honor to serve the Peace Corps and our country,” Spahn wrote in a news release. “From my time as a volunteer in Romania to my years as a country director in Malawi, I have loved my work for the Peace Corps, the American people, and the people of the countries where I have served. I am grateful the Biden-Harris transition team has accorded me the privilege of serving in this new role.”

Spahn served as the Peace Corps’ chief of operations in the Africa Region covering Eastern and Southern Africa. Previously, she was the country director of Peace Corps/Malawi for five years, according to the release. She was a Peace Corps volunteer from 1994 to 1996 in Romania, where she worked as a small business advisor. She also served as vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer of Small Enterprise Assistance Funds and held positions at leading private sector institutions, including GE Capital and KPMG Peat Marwick.

Jill Ortman-Fouse, a former member of the Montgomery County Board of Education, has known Spahn for almost 20 years. “The Peace Corps could not be in better hands,” she posted on Facebook. “She brings tremendous integrity, experience, commitment, excellent judgement and fortitude. Plus a blazing sense of humor.”

Spahn obtained her bachelor’s degree at Catholic University of America and a master’s degree in international development from the George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs.

We’re pleased to announce Carol Spahn has been named Acting Director to lead the agency during the transition period. Most recently, she served as Peace Corps’ chief of operations in the Africa Region, covering Eastern and Southern Africa. Learn more: https://t.co/ZGBI5vFxms pic.twitter.com/vjYQNj0NNj

— Peace Corps (@PeaceCorps) January 22, 2021

About Suzanne Pollak

Suzanne is a freelance reporter with Montgomery Community Media. She has over 35 years professional experience writing for newspapers, magazines, non-profit newsletters and the web.

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