Stephanie Funk was sworn in as the United States Agency for International Development’s Mission Director for Zimbabwe on June 11, 2015. 

Ms. Funk’s most recent assignment was at USAID’s Malawi mission where she served as Deputy Mission Director from 2012 to 2015.  She began her career in Africa as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Botswana and has dedicated her entire career to the continent. 

Ms. Funk was posted in Malawi (1992-1996), Ethiopia (1996-1998), Zimbabwe (1998-2004), Sudan (2004-2007), and Djibouti (2008-2011).  She has served as a Democracy and Governance Officer in these countries during historic times including the transition from one party to multi-party rule in Malawi, the beginning of a vibrant opposition in Zimbabwe, and the run up to the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and its implementation in Sudan. 

She graduated with honors from the University of Scranton with a dual degree in political science and history.  She graduated from Drew University with a master’s degree in international affairs where she was the recipient of a Business and Professional Women’s Scholarship and Drew University’s Merit Scholarship.  In 2012, she graduated with a second master’s degree in national security strategy from the National Defense University/National War College. 

She is the recipient of numerous awards including the Administrator’s Implementation Award, Superior and Meritorious Honors Awards.  In recognition of her significant contributions to the development of Djibouti, the President of Djibouti awarded her Djibouti’s second highest medal of honor – “Medaille de Chevailier dans L’Ordre National du 27 Juin 1977.”