Dr. Josephine “Jody” Olsen began her Peace Corps career in 1966 as a volunteer in Tunisia. She has since served the agency in multiple leadership positions—as Acting Director in 2009, Deputy Director from 2002- 2009, Chief of Staff, and previously as Regional Director for North Africa, Near East, and Asia Pacific.
Prior to returning to the Peace Corps in 2018 Dr. Olsen was a Visiting Professor at the University of Maryland-Baltimore working on global education and global health projects in numerous areas.
It is a trying time for the Peace Corps. The global novel coronavirus pandemic has required volunteers to be recalled from the field and numerous other international challenges require fresh thinking about the most effective mission for the Peace Corps in the future.
Dr. Olsen will share her thoughts and ideas with the Colorado Foothills World Affairs Council members and guests via an interactive Zoom format and answer some of our questions.