Michael McCusker
Alexandria
Summary
Experienced national security and foreign policy professional with 15+ years of leadership in strategic initiatives, policy development, and humanitarian response. Expertise in designing and leading multi-year projects, convening senior leaders, and advancing U.S. foreign policy through strategic engagement. Strong background in managing large-scale programs, fostering global partnerships, and shaping policy narratives through high-level communications. Fluent in French, with a Master of Public Health and extensive experience across U.S. government agencies, international organizations, and the advocacy community.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Deputy Regional Director, Europe and Eurasia
International Foundation of Electoral Systems (IFES)
06.2024 - Current
- Oversee a $20M democracy and governance portfolio across nine countries, including Ukraine, Moldova, and the Western Balkans
- Lead strategic policy initiatives in anti-corruption, political finance, and governance, aligning with U.S
- Foreign policy goals
- Engage with senior foreign policy stakeholders, including USAID, State Department, and EU donors, to advance regional security and democratic resilience
- Develop and implement a Democratic Resilience and Mitigation framework to counter authoritarian influence and enhance institutional effectiveness
Deputy Team Lead, Middle East, North Africa, and Europe (MENAE)
USAID Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance (BHA)
04.2023 - 04.2024
- Represented BHA at high-level interagency and international forums, advocating for U.S
- National security interests in crisis regions
- Provided strategic guidance on global health security, humanitarian mitigation strategies, and regional stabilization efforts
- Led policy development for U.S
- Foreign assistance, drafting memos for senior clearance (USAID, State, NSC) on humanitarian response and risk mitigation
- Managed engagement with NGOs, UN agencies, and foreign governments to advance U.S
- Strategic objectives in complex emergencies
Senior Director, U.S. Disaster Mitigation and Recovery Program
Church World Service
10.2021 - 10.2022
- Directed policy initiatives and strategic planning for domestic disaster response and refugee integration programs
- Developed partnerships with federal agencies (FEMA, DHS) and advocacy organizations to shape national policy on migration and disaster mitigation
- Led coordination efforts with political leaders and policymakers to enhance U.S
- Refugee and asylum policy frameworks
(Interim) Project Director, USAID CRCA/State Department DRL
Invisible Children
10.2018 - 09.2019
- Managed a $27M foreign assistance portfolio supporting civilian protection and countering violent extremism in Central Africa
- Supervised high-level research, outreach, and strategy development on governance, security sector reform, and human rights
- Led high-profile engagements with policymakers and advocacy groups to advance U.S
- Security and foreign policy priorities
Senior Humanitarian Advisor - Emergency Response Unit
International Medical Corps
10.2017 - 10.2018
- Provided strategic oversight on global humanitarian and security response initiatives, including operations in the Middle East and Africa
- Led rapid response teams in high-risk environments, developing and implementing foreign policy strategies on conflict mitigation and health security
Regional Director, Horn & Francophone Africa
International Medical Corps
01.2017 - 10.2017
- Directed operations, coordination, and technical programs across seven countries, overseeing a $100M+ portfolio in health, WASH, and nutrition
- Led strategic planning and emergency response efforts for East Africa famine relief and crisis stabilization programs
Team Leader, Humanitarian Response
Save the Children
01.2013 - 01.2017
- Led crisis response in Iraq, Greece, Yemen, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Myanmar, managing multi-million-dollar humanitarian programs
- Developed advocacy and policy recommendations for improving humanitarian assistance and refugee response strategies
- Engaged with UN agencies, national governments, and international donors to advance crisis response and policy initiatives
Monitoring & Evaluation Manager, Typhoon Haiyan Response
Save the Children
02.2014 - 07.2014
- Designed and implemented a comprehensive monitoring strategy for humanitarian assistance programs in the Philippines
- Led a team conducting multi-sector household assessments to evaluate disaster response effectiveness
Program Officer, Central African Republic Response
Save the Children
09.2013 - 01.2014
- Designed and managed crisis response operations, collaborating with UN agencies and national governments on emergency relief efforts
- Led grant writing and program development for humanitarian assistance initiatives
Project Manager, Frontline Health Project
Save the Children UK
01.2012 - 09.2013
- Managed a £1.3M initiative to strengthen frontline health worker capacity and health supply chains in crisis-affected regions
- Provided strategic oversight on global health policy initiatives and investment in emergency medical response
Program Associate, Saving Newborn Lives (Gates Foundation)
Save the Children
01.2010 - 01.2012
- Expanded maternal and child health partnerships and strategies in low-income countries
- Developed policy recommendations and technical assistance plans for global newborn health initiatives
Education
Master of Public Health - Global Communicable Diseases & Epidemiology
University of South Florida
01.2022
Bachelor of Arts - International Affairs & Human Rights; Minor in French
University of Dayton
01.2008
Skills
- Foreign policy
- National security
- Humanitarian affairs
- Project management
- Policy development
- Strategic engagement
- Political strategy
- Communications
- Message development
- Writing
- Analytical skills
- Briefing
- Engagement
- Diversity
- Equity
- Inclusion
Certification
- USAID AOR/COR Certification Level 1
- USAID BHA Response Management Essentials
- Project Management for Development Professionals (PMP Pro)
- Cornell University Project Leadership Certificate
- Deakin University Humanitarian Leadership Program
Publications And Speaking Engagements
- Using HF Radio for Ebola Detection & Prevention - Asia Pacific Humanitarian Leadership Conference
- Frequent speaker at national security and foreign policy forums, including USAID, State Department, and NGO coalitions
Key Qualifications
- Extensive experience in foreign policy, national security, and humanitarian affairs.
- Proven success in project management, policy development, and strategic engagement.
- Established high-level relationships across the foreign policy and national security community.
- Expertise in political strategy, communications, and message development.
- Strong writing and analytical skills for briefing senior policymakers and external audiences.
- Ability to convene and engage senior leaders in U.S. foreign policy dialogues.
- Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in policy spaces.
Timeline
Deputy Regional Director, Europe and Eurasia
International Foundation of Electoral Systems (IFES)
06.2024 - Current
Deputy Team Lead, Middle East, North Africa, and Europe (MENAE)
USAID Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance (BHA)
04.2023 - 04.2024
Senior Director, U.S. Disaster Mitigation and Recovery Program
Church World Service
10.2021 - 10.2022
(Interim) Project Director, USAID CRCA/State Department DRL
Invisible Children
10.2018 - 09.2019
Senior Humanitarian Advisor - Emergency Response Unit
International Medical Corps
10.2017 - 10.2018
Regional Director, Horn & Francophone Africa
International Medical Corps
01.2017 - 10.2017
Monitoring & Evaluation Manager, Typhoon Haiyan Response
Save the Children
02.2014 - 07.2014
Program Officer, Central African Republic Response
Save the Children
09.2013 - 01.2014
Team Leader, Humanitarian Response
Save the Children
01.2013 - 01.2017
Project Manager, Frontline Health Project
Save the Children UK
01.2012 - 09.2013
Program Associate, Saving Newborn Lives (Gates Foundation)
Save the Children
01.2010 - 01.2012
Bachelor of Arts - International Affairs & Human Rights; Minor in French
University of Dayton
Master of Public Health - Global Communicable Diseases & Epidemiology
University of South Florida
Similar Profiles
Ahmad Munir TotakhilAhmad Munir Totakhil
Senior Procurement and Administration Officer at International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES)Senior Procurement and Administration Officer at International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES)
JOSHUA RAYMOND MUNISIJOSHUA RAYMOND MUNISI
Driver/Administrative and Logistics Assistant. at International Foundation for Electoral Systems.(IFES)Driver/Administrative and Logistics Assistant. at International Foundation for Electoral Systems.(IFES)
Muhammad Anas RazaMuhammad Anas Raza
Program Coordinator at International Foundation For Electoral Systems, IFESProgram Coordinator at International Foundation For Electoral Systems, IFES