MONROVIA, LIBERIA-USAID-Liberia and the US Center for Disease Control (CDC) now have new Country Directors foe Liberia.

Jim Wright is the new Mission Director of USAID-Liberia, while Rachel Idowu is the new Country Director of the US-CDC.

A US Embassy release issued Tuesday, August 3, 2021, said Mr. Jim Wright is a veteran Foreign Service officer who brings to Liberia more than 30 years of experience, managing international development and relief programs in more than 10 countries around the world, including three assignments in West Africa.

He was most recently the USAID Mission Director in Timor-Leste, where he led the Mission in strengthening democratic institutions, expanding inclusive economic growth, and improving health services.

Mr. Wright was sworn into office by USAID Administrator, Samantha Power, who described him as a consummate development professional, known for his steadfast commitment to USAID’s mission to help countries around the world develop their economies, end extreme poverty, and build resilient democratic institutions.

Dr. Rachel Idowu began her career with the CDC in 2012 as an Epidemic Intelligence Service officer. She later assisted Liberia, Ghana, and Zambia in establishing national platforms for public health services and supported Liberia’s response during the 2014-15 West Africa Ebola outbreaks.

Dr. Idowu served as the first CDC technical advisor to the Africa Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), after contributing to its conception, design, and launch.

Dr. Idowu is board-certified in public health and general preventative medicine.

She is also trained in general surgery and critical care medicine at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, where she serves as an adjunct faculty member.