Background
Shah, Rajiv Jana was born on March 9, 1973.
Shah, Rajiv Jana was born on March 9, 1973.
Bachelor, University Michigan. Master of Science in Health Economics, University Pennsylvania. Doctor of Medicine, University Pennsylvania.
Attended, London School of Economics.
He was confirmed by the Senate on December 24, 2009. In this role, Shah led more than 9,600 professionals in 80 missions around the world, and managed an annual budget of over $22 billion. During his years at United States Agency for International Development, Shah also led the humanitarian response of the United States to crisis such as the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, famine in the horn of Africa, and refugees fleeing Syria.
Prior to his appointment at United States Agency for International Development, Shah served as Under Secretary of Agriculture for Research, Education, and Economics and Chief Scientist on April 17, 2009.
Shah"s nomination was confirmed by the United States Senate by unanimous consent on May 12, 2009. Before serving in this administration, Shah worked in a range of leadership roles at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation including Director of Agricultural Development, Director of Financial Services, leader of the Strategic Opportunities initiative and manager of the Foundation"s $1.5 billion commitment to the Vaccine Fund.
After stepping down from United States Agency for International Development in early 2015, Shah joined Georgetown University"s School of Foreign Service (SFS) faculty as a Distinguished Fellow. In this role, he works closely with Steven Radelet, director of Georgetown’s Global Human Development Program.
Community Engagement
Shah co-founded multiple nonprofit organizations including Project Impact for South Asian Americans.
Prior to his appointment at United States Department of Agriculture, Shah worked in a range of leadership roles at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. United States Agency for International Development
Shah became Administrator of United States Agency for International Development days before the January 2010 earthquake in Haiti and led the successful effort to help Haiti recover and rebuild. His crisis management skills and expertise were hailed by many who appreciated his swift and strategic response.
In 2012, under Shah"s leadership, the agency also played a pivotal role in helping Syrian refugees by providing food assistance and other humanitarian support.
Shah oversaw United States Agency for International Development"s efforts in numerous other international crises, including the famine in the horn of Africa. Shah was influential in the development and implementation of Power Africa, an initiative that will double access to power in sub-Saharan Africa.
Shah leads the Administration"s efforts to change America"s food assistance program, including winning new flexibilities in the farm bill that would reach 1 million additional children at no additional cost.
Shah was actively engaged in the Seattle community as a trustee of the 54,000-student Seattle Community College District, and as a member of the Board of Directors for the Seattle Public Library.
Married Shivarn Mallick Shah.