Mr. Patrick Diskin was sworn in as USAID Mission Director to Zambia in April, 2017.  He has been posted in Africa with USAID for the past 20 years.  He arrived in Zambia in June 2014, initially as Deputy Mission Director.  Prior to that he worked with USAID Food for Peace programs, while based at several posts:  East Africa/Kenya (2011-2014 and 2000-2002); South Africa (2002-2011); Guinea (1999-2000); Mali (1998-1999); and Liberia (1997-1998).  

Mr. Diskin studied Agricultural Economics at Michigan State University (Ph.D. candidate), carrying out grain market research in Ethiopia.  He has a Master’s Degree in International Development Studies from Ohio University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Northwestern University.  Mr. Diskin became a Peace Corps Volunteer in 1987, serving as a teacher in rural Botswana.