The Leaderboard: Jonathan Stivers

The Leaderboard profiles the people behind the policies of the Asia-Pacific.Who is he?

Jonathan Stivers is a senior adviser to U.S. House of Representatives Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), a position he assumed in 2011. Stivers has long been considered a key staff member in Pelosi’s office and a champion for advancing trade policy with the Asia-Pacific region.

Stivers joined Pelosi’s office in 1999 as a senior legislative assistant and quickly rose to become her legislative director. His work in foreign policy has spanned U.S.-China relations, foreign assistance, global health, and human rights. Stivers attended Michigan State University and the George Washington University.

Why is he in the news?

President Barack Obama on April 10 nominated Stivers to be the next United States Agency for International Development (USAID) assistant administrator for Asia. If confirmed (his senate hearing was June 17), he will succeed Nisha Desai Biswal, who has been appointed assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asian affairs.

What can we expect from him?

Stivers has over the years worked closely with USAID and various congressional committees on development issues related to Asia. Expect him to deepen USAID’s engagement with the Asia Pacific and take steps to review or reinforce the effectiveness of USAID-led programs in the region.

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