As program director, Carroll built a portfolio of programs, and a program team, from scratch into more than 2 million euros per annum and a program staff of 6-10 people, managing several projects around the world. He worked directly with more than half of the organization’s members – 75 former presidents and prime ministers from 55 countries.
“I can not think of anyone more deserving of this USAID position than Sean Carroll. We at Club de Madrid will miss his initiative, imagination, hard work and enthusiasm. We are sure that these qualities will represent an extraordinary benefit for the American administration”, said Club de Madrid Secretary General, Fernando Perpiñá-Robert.
Jenny Shipley, former Prime Minister of New Zealand and Club de Madrid Vice-President, who worked closely with Carroll as Program Committee Chair, said “Sean provided inspirational leadership in the ground-breaking Shared Societies Project which has elevated this topic to a ‘front of mind’ issue for many Government leaders today. This will be an enduring contribution to one of the leading issues of our time.”
As chief of staff at USAID, Carroll will be part of the Agency’s leadership team, with responsibilities for managing the front office, interagency issues, core strategic priorities, core operational priorities, strategic internal and external communications and other Chief of Staff functions, working closely with the agency’s head (USAID Administrator).
USAID’s Administrator, Dr. Raj Shah, said “with his breadth of global experience in development, government, politics and policy, Sean Carroll is going to be a great asset at USAID. I very much look forward to working with him and to counting on his leadership at AID. We are eager to have him on board.”
With an operating budget of nearly US$1.7 billion, USAID manages more than half of the US’ $35 billion foreign operations and assistance budget. Total International Affairs budget for 2010 is approximately $54 billion, a 9 percent increase over 2009.
Said Carroll, “President Obama aims to double U.S. foreign assistance by 2015, providing resources needed to help the world’s most vulnerable countries reduce poverty, increase food security, combat health threats and climate change, develop markets, govern peacefully, and expand inclusive, democratic participation and institutions worldwide. I am honored and thrilled to be asked to be a part of this effort to expand U.S. partnerships and presence globally. I’m looking forward to serving President Obama and Secretary Clinton, and very excited about working closely with USAID’s new Administrator. Dr. Shah has the smarts and strategic outlook needed to lead the Agency and expand and improve on its important work.”
Prior to his work at Club de Madrid for Democratic Transition and Consolidation, Carroll was Senior Fellow and Director at the Inter-American Dialogue where he worked with the U.S. Congress and legislators throughout the Americas. Carroll also served as a Consultant to United Nations/World Food Program and as Minority Staff Director on the U.S. House of Representatives International Relations Subcommittee. From 1986 to 1989, Carroll worked in multiple roles at the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs. Carroll also coordinated Obama for America efforts in Spain. He has an MA in International Public Policy from Johns Hopkins University/SAIS and a BS in Foreign Service from Georgetown University. He is fluent in Spanish, and speaks Catalan and French.
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