To support Kathleen Corey’s candidacy for Director of the Peace Corps
I have known Kathleen Corey for about 40 years—since we both worked at the Center for Applied Linguistics. I was…
To express your support write Reema Dodin at rdodin@jbrpt.org who is accepting letters of support for
this position. Also, send this letter to your Senators. I have included Corey’s qualification statement and short resume for your review and use in crafting a letter.
KATHLEEN MARIE COREY
coreykath@yahoo.com
253-627-5000
PEACE CORPS
Country Director, North Macedonia 2013-2016
Country Director, Sri Lanka 1994-1997
Acting Regional Director, Asia Pacific Region, Washington, D.C. 1992-1993
Chief of Operations, Pacific, Asia, Eastern and Central Europe and
Mediterranean Region, Washington, D.C. 1989-1991
Program and Training Officer, North Africa, Near East, Asia, and Pacific
Region, Washington, D.C., and Lahore, Pakistan 1988-1989
Peace Corps Volunteer, Volunteer Leader, and Assistant Training
Director, Zorzor and Monrovia, Liberia 1975-1979
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Leadership Instructor, Executive Development Division, Foreign Service
Institute, Arlington, Virginia 2016-2020
Foreign Service Public Affairs and Consular Officer, Honduras and
Argentina 2004-2013
NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS
President, Women of Peace Corps Legacy, Washington, D.C. 2018-2020
President and CEO, World Affairs Council of Seattle, Seattle, Washington 1998-2001
Executive Director, World Vision Seattle and Tacoma, Federal Way,
Washington 2001-2003
Program Associate, Center for Applied Linguistics Refugee Service Center,
Bangkok, Manila, and Washington D.C. 1980-1988
TEACHING
Adjunct Professor, ESL Teacher Training, George Mason University,
Fairfax, Virginia 1990-1992
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
KATHLEEN COREY, PEACE CORPS DIRECTOR CANDIDATE
Sixteen years of experience at Peace Corps
Served in top leadership positions at Peace Corps. Created and led Asia-Pacific Region. As Chief of Operations of the Pacific, Asia, Eastern and Central Europe and Mediterranean Region, led efforts to open 15 countries in the former Soviet Union. Negotiated and led Peace Corps’ entry into China, Bangladesh, and Cambodia. Served as a Volunteer and Volunteer Leader in Liberia for 4 years.
Experienced diplomat
Former State Department diplomat for 12 years, with strong negotiating and diplomatic skills to smoothly transition Peace Corps’ country reentry post-COVID. Deep knowledge of functions of U.S. embassies. Served twice on U.S. Ambassador’s Country teams. Worked with foreign ministries to advance U.S. policies.
Proven leadership skills in difficult situations
Hired to create, improve, or grow organizations, including the North Macedonia and Sri Lanka Peace Corps Programs, World Affairs Council of Seattle, World Vision Seattle and Tacoma, and Women of Peace Corps Legacy. Created diversity programs at Peace Corps. Led refugee resettlement education programs for Vietnamese, Lao, and Cambodian refugees in Southeast Asian refugee camps for 8 years after Vietnam War.
Experience handling crisis situations
Led 5 difficult Peace Corps evacuations: 4 countries during the Gulf War (Pakistan, Morocco, Tunisia, and Yemen) and a 264-Volunteer evacuation from the Philippines, following a Volunteer kidnapping by the communist New People’s Army. Received Inspector General Crisis Management Award.
Proven experience in dealing with Volunteer safety and security issues
Provided exceptional support to Volunteers facing difficult challenges in their service. Known to be strong and fair, inspired Volunteers to follow rules on Volunteer safety and security. Supported grieving families who had lost a loved one in service.
Extensive knowledge and support of equity issues
As Peace Corps country director, organized events and created programs to protect and support LGBTQ and Black Volunteers. Received Peace Corps Meritorious Award for Diversity and Inclusion Program, which became a model for other Peace Corps countries.
Exceptional training skills
Taught professional skills, including effectively working with Congress, to all levels of diplomats at the Department of State’s Foreign Service Institute. In recognition of exemplary training skills, selected to teach senior-level leadership courses for future ambassadors and deputy chiefs of mission. At Peace Corps, trained hundreds of Volunteers and staff on safety and security issues and cross-cultural sensitivity.
Outstanding people skills
Received exceptionally high marks for interpersonal and cross-cultural skills throughout career in Peace Corps and the Foreign Service.
Kathleen is extraordinarily well qualified to serve as Director of the Peace Corps and enjoys the support of those of us who have served with her through the years. Ken Hill
I cannot imagine a better Peace Corps Director than Corey. For me, she was a boss who inspired and modeled not starry-eyed optimism, but sterling integrity, work ethic, and faith in the power of looking at the world straight on and doing your absolute best to make it better. For the volunteers and for the goals of the Peace Corps, Corey is the person who should be in charge.
I have known Kathleen Corey for about 40 years—since we both worked at the Center for Applied Linguistics. I was recently able to re-connect with her, and we spent a few days together. I have always found her to be professional, open, warm, and principled. She would be the perfect representative of this new administration to lead the Peace Corps.