WASHINGTON, D.C. — Dr. Mary C. Ott was sworn in today as the new Mission Director for Egypt for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).  Assistant Administrator for the Middle East Bureau, Mara Rudman administered the oath of office.

As Director of the Mission, Dr. Ott will have the primary responsibility for overseeing programs that work with Egyptians to increase educational opportunities for all Egyptians, assist Egypt in overcoming health challenges, support agricultural development, help to strengthen their democratic institutions and governance structures, and continue to advance the country’s economic growth and private sector development.

“Mary is uniquely qualified to oversee our programs in Egypt. Her deep experience in Agency leadership positions working on issues of economic growth and education combined with her personal familiarity with Egypt will be critical. Mary’s experience will be an asset in supporting Egypt’s efforts to capture this opportunity,” said Assistant Administrator Rudman.

Dr. Ott most recently served as the Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Bureau for Economic Growth, Education and Environment (E3) for USAID.  Previously, she was Director of E3’s Office of Economic Growth.

Dr. Ott has worked for USAID for 28 years.  Before joining E3, she served as Senior Director, Office of Trade Capacity Building, while on detail to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. Her previous USAID assignments include Deputy Mission Director in Bangladesh and Egypt and Chief Economist for USAID’s Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean. 

Prior to her USAID career, she taught in Georgetown University’s Economics Department.  She received her M.S. and PhD. in Agricultural Economics from the University of California at Davis, and her B.S.F.S. in International Economics from Georgetown University.