Paul Weisenfeld

Paul Weisenfeld is Executive Vice President for International Development at RTI International, a global research institute and leading international development organization. In this position he leads RTI’s international development practice, which is dedicated to improving the human condition through multi-sectoral, inclusive solutions that lead to sustainable economic growth, climate resilience, improved food security, quality education and healthcare, environmental protection, and greater prosperity.  

Mr. Weisenfeld is also the executive leader for RTI’s Government Relations and Corporate Communications functions, respectively. As the executive leader for these teams, he oversees efforts to promote RTI’s brand, interests, and impact externally and to inform, engage, and align staff internally.

Before joining RTI, Mr. Weisenfeld served as a foreign service officer for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), achieving the highest rank of career minister in the Senior Foreign Service, and led high-profile initiatives across various international development sectors. During this time Mr. Weisenfeld directed the Bureau for Food Security at USAID, which leads Feed the Future, the U.S. Government’s global hunger and food security initiative. He also led the Haiti Task Team, charged with coordinating relief and reconstruction planning following the devastating earthquake in 2010, and served as USAID Mission Director in Peru and Zimbabwe. Mr. Weisenfeld received the USAID administrator’s Distinguished Career Service Award, the agency’s highest award. He served in Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America.

Mr. Weisenfeld holds an honorary Doctorate in Public Administration from Monmouth College, Illinois. He also holds a J.D. from Harvard Law School and a B.A. from Queens College of the City University of New York. He is currently chair of USAID’s Advisory Committee on Voluntary Foreign Aid (ACVFA), serves on the board of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition, is a member of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation’s (DFC) Development Advisory Council, and is on the Steering Committee of the Modernizing Foreign Assistance Network.

Mr. Weisenfeld was also featured as a LimeLighter by WRAL Techwire. View here.