Carol Spahn is a distinguished leader with a wealth of experience across corporate, non-profit, and government sectors, including her tenure as the 21st Director of the Peace Corps. Her global career spans high-level diplomacy, grassroots implementation, and operational oversight, providing her with a pragmatic, real-world perspective on foreign assistance. Carol is a frequent speaker, both nationally and internationally, on topics related to international development, service, and public diplomacy.
Upon being nominated by President Joseph Biden and unanimously confirmed by the Senate as the Director of the Peace Corps, Carol led the agency through a historic rebuilding and revitalization following its first-ever global evacuation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Under her leadership, more than 3,000 Volunteers returned to service in 61 countries, and new country programs were launched in Vietnam, El Salvador, Sri Lanka, and Palau. She led an agency-wide transformation that integrated quality assurance, modernized recruiting and operations, and expanded service models. Carol also served as Country Director for the Peace Corps in Malawi and was a Small Business Development Volunteer in Romania following the fall of communism.
Beyond the Peace Corps, Carol has led initiatives across sectors to drive sustainable social change. As Executive Director and Board Secretary of Accordia Global Health Foundation, she worked to strengthen health systems and address infectious diseases in Africa during the height of the HIV epidemic through an African-owned and -led center of excellence. At Women for Women International, Carol spearheaded strategic initiatives and operations to support women survivors of war, focusing on economic empowerment and social inclusion. Her leadership at Small Enterprise Assistance Funds facilitated private equity investments in small and medium enterprises in emerging markets, promoting entrepreneurship and economic growth. Earlier in her career, she gained expertise in corporate finance at GE Capital Romania and KPMG Peat Marwick.
Carol is passionate about inspiring the next generation of changemakers and actively engages with advisory bodies and organizations to shape the national dialogue on foreign assistance and public service.
Carol holds a Master’s Degree in International Affairs from the George Washington University’s Eliott School of Foreign Affairs and an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from the Hobart and William Smith Colleges.