Sonali Korde sworn in as assistant to USAID Administrator

Sonali Korde promoted to assistant to USAID administrator / Image: LinkedIn

Indian American Sonali Korde has been promoted to Assistant to the Administrator at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)'s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA).

Previously, she served as the Deputy Assistant to the Administrator (DAA) of the bureau, that is engaged in addressing a humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

During the swearing-in ceremony, USAID Administrator Samantha Power appreciated Korde's journey, highlighting her commitment to humanitarian causes. "Sonali is really a gift to us all,” she said.

Thanking Korde's family for their support, she added, “Even in the tense environment on the ground, Sonali forged strong relationships with Israelis, with Egyptians, with Palestinians, and with aid workers, to facilitate critical life-saving humanitarian work. She quickly became known for her ability to get through to people.”

As a fellow in Congresswoman Nita Lowey’s office in 2013, Korde gained an initial expertise in legislative affairs and budgeting. She went on to work at the Federal Reserve in New York and the National Security Council staff as director of global health and development.

"Working alongside some of the most impactful and agile American leaders, especially under Ron Klain, the leader of the U.S. Ebola response, Sonali became a key National Security Council player, organizing policy and budget efforts across multiple departments and agencies," Power noted.

Korde has been serving USAID in various roles since 2004, with a background in legislative affairs, national security policy, infectious diseases and emergency humanitarian response, and global health.

Before joining the BHA, she served as deputy chief of staff for policy in the office of the Administrator at USAID and as acting deputy assistant administrator at USAID's Bureau for Legislative and Public Affairs.

She completed her master's in international relations and affairs from Yale University and her bachelor's in science, business, or managerial economics from the New York University.