Anupama Rajaraman
Anupama Rajaraman is a senior official in the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), holding the position of Mission Director in Colombia.{{Cite web|url=https://www.usaid.gov/organization/anupama-rajaraman|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230528094640/https://www.usaid.gov/organization/anupama-rajaraman|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 28, 2023|title=Anupama Rajaraman|date=May 26, 2023|website=U.S. Agency for International Development}}
She is currently USAID's Mission Director in Guatemala.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wola.org/2024/02/us-civil-society-letter-human-rights-consultation-colombia/|title=Letter on USAID/Colombia Human Rights Consultation with U.S. Civil Society|date=February 12, 2024|website=WOLA}}{{Cite web|url=https://nccommons.org/wiki/USAID_Album:_Administrator_Samantha_Power_at_the_Swearing-in_Ceremony_for_Anupama_Rajaraman|title=USAID Album: Administrator Samantha Power at the Swearing-in Ceremony for Anupama Rajaraman - NC Commons|website=nccommons.org}}
Rajaraman is a member of the Senior Foreign Service, where she has played a role in various USAID missions across the globe for two decades.{{Cite web|url=https://agexporthoy.export.com.gt/export-news-gt/agexport-makes-a-recognition-and-farewells-the-director-of-the-usaid-mission-in-guatemala-mrs-anupama-rajaraman/|title=AGEXPORT makes a recognition and farewells the director of the USAID Mission in Guatemala, Mrs. Anupama Rajaraman | Agexport Hoy|date=June 28, 2022}}
{{Cite web|url=https://www.gstcouncil.org/first-gstc-latin-american-caribbean-summit-santa-marta-colombia/|title=First GSTC Latin American and Caribbean Summit in Santa Marta, Colombia|date=May 24, 2024|website=GSTC}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.cancilleria.gov.co/newsroom/news/viceministra-asuntos-multilaterales-elizabeth-taylor-jay-reunio-directora-colombia|title=La viceministra de Asuntos Multilaterales, Elizabeth Taylor Jay, se reunió con la directora para Colombia de USAID, Anupama Rajaraman | Cancillería|website=www.cancilleria.gov.co}}
Early career and education
Anupama Rajaraman began her career with USAID as an Urban Management Fellow in 2001, working with the Regional Urban Development Office in South Africa.{{Cite web|url=https://servirglobal.net/news/nasa-administrator-visit-servir-amazonia-highlights-climate-efforts|title=NASA Administrator visit to SERVIR Amazonia Highlights Climate Efforts | SERVIR GLOBAL|date=August 14, 2023|website=servirglobal.net}}
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She joined USAID as an Urban Management Fellow assigned to USAID's Regional Urban Development Office in South Africa in 2001, and later as a Presidential Management Fellow (Democracy & Governance Officer) in the year 2003.https://usaidalumni.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/REPORT-ON-UAA-2023-ANNUAL-GENERAL-MEETING-final.pdf
Raised on Galveston Island, Texas, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in government from the University of Texas at Austin and holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University.
Biography
Rajaraman's tenure with USAID has included leadership roles in multiple countries. As the Mission Director in Colombia, she oversees a team of 145 professionals. Her leadership was instrumental in initiatives such as the "Restoring Our Future" program, which seeks to consolidate peace and reconciliation efforts in Colombia.{{Cite web|url=https://colombia.iom.int/es/news/restaurando-nuestro-futuro-usaid-y-oim-unen-fuerzas-para-contribuir-la-paz-y-la-reconciliacion-en-colombia|title=Restaurando Nuestro Futuro: USAID y OIM unen fuerzas para contribuir a la paz y la reconciliación en Colombia|website=colombia.iom.int}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.elespectador.com/justicia-inclusiva/vemos-una-alineacion-fuerte-con-el-gobierno-colombiano-para-centrar-esfuerzos/|title=ELESPECTADOR.COM|first=El|last=Espectador|date=February 13, 2024|website=ELESPECTADOR.COM}}
Prior to her current role, Rajaraman served as Mission Director in Guatemala. There, she focused on strengthening partnerships with Indigenous peoples and promoting locally led development. Her efforts were critical to advancing USAID's goals of inclusivity and self-reliance.
Rajaraman has also participated in USAID's broader strategies, including her work as the USAID Forward Coordinator and lead on the Journey to Self-Reliance initiative. She spearheaded efforts to integrate science, technology, innovation, and private sector partnerships into USAID's operations, particularly during her tenure with the U.S. Global Development Lab.{{Cite web|url=https://www.paho.org/pt/node/72928|title=La OPS/OMS participa en el lanzamiento de Estrategia de rastreo de casos y contactos COVID-19 del Ministerio de Salud - OPAS/OMS | Organização Pan-Americana da Saúde|date=August 12, 2020|website=www.paho.org}}
Rajaraman's experience extends to India, where she and her team redefined USAID's development model to better leverage local entrepreneurship and innovation. She has also previously served in Colombia between 2007 and 2011, managing development projects across South Asia, Latin America, and Southern Africa.https://defensoria.gov.co/-/defensor-del-pueblo-presentar%C3%A1-los-resultados-de-los-programas-tus-derechos-viajan-contigo-y-casa-de-los-derechos-junto-a-l%C3%ADderes-migrantes-y-de-comunidades-de-acogida-del-pa%C3%ADs
Recent initiatives
In recent years, Rajaraman has been involved in high-level international cooperation efforts between the United States and Colombia. Notably, she played a key role in the signing of an international cooperation agreement between the Colombian Ministry of Justice and USAID, aimed at implementing the Holistic Drug Strategy formulated by the White House. This agreement marks a significant step in the collaboration between the two governments in combating drug trafficking and supporting related social programs.https://mintic.gov.co/portal/inicio/Sala-de-prensa/Noticias/276849:MinTIC-lidera-la-Mesa-Internacional-de-Inteligencia-Artificial-para-Colombia
References
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Category:United States Agency for International Development
Category:People of the United States Agency for International Development