Biography of USAID/Vietnam Mission Director Joakim Parker

Joakim Parker, the Director of the U.S. Agency for International Development's (USAID) Mission in Vietnam, has served in this position since September 2012. As lead for USAID/Vietnam and primary development adviser for the U.S. embassy, he oversees development activities related to governance for broader-based and more inclusive growth, higher education, HIV/AIDS and avian influenza and other emerging pandemic threats, dioxin remediation at Da Nang airport, climate change, and support for persons with disabilities. A member of the Senior Foreign Service, he has worked for USAID in regional positions in Georgia, Peru and Ukraine. He also served in the U.S. Peace Corps and the United Nations Environment Program in Africa. Mr. Parker joined USAID in 1997 as a legal adviser after several years' legal practice with an international law firm. He holds degrees from Stanford University, University of California's Hastings College of Law, and University of the West Indies' Institute for International Relations.