ARLINGTON, VA. – Counterpart International today announced the appointment of Jocelyn Brown Hall to the organization’s Board of Directors. She brings to Counterpart longstanding experience in food security, agricultural development, and trade capacity building.

Currently serving as the Deputy Regional Representative for the Regional Office for Africa of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Ms. Brown Hall oversees the 47 FAO country offices in Africa and guides their strategy and communications around food security, agriculture, climate change, agrifood trade, and animal and plant health, among other topics.  She also serves as the FAO Representative for Ghana, and works with ministries of agriculture, fisheries, social protection, and trade on advancing issues such as healthy school meals, rehabilitating lands contaminated by illegal mining, sustainable aquaculture and fish smoking, and digitalization of agriculture data.  Finally, she leads partnership and resource mobilization for the entire Africa region, bringing together civil society, international organization, donors, and the private sector to address food security.

In 1998, Ms. Brown Hall joined the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in the Foreign Agricultural Service, where she coordinated USDA’s international development and training programs. She was the lead expert on USDA’s technical relationship with international organizations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation in Agriculture, and various international research centers.

In 2015, Ms. Brown Hall was appointed Deputy Administrator in the Foreign Agricultural Service where she led the USDA’s US$2B food and technical assistance programs in low- and middle-income countries. In this position, she oversaw USDA’s international food and technical assistance programs, including the McGovern-Dole Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program, the Food for Progress Program, the Cochran and Borlaug Fellowship Programs, and numerous technical assistance projects that promote U.S. government food security and trade capacity building goals.

“Jocelyn’s extensive experience on the ground, working on complex food security and food supply challenges in countries around the world, makes her a tremendous addition to our Board of Directors,” says Raúl R. Herrera, Board Chair.  “I look forward to working with Jocelyn in providing thought leadership to further our private and public sector partnerships and helping communities around the world build more stable, sustainable futures.”

Ms. Brown Hall began her career teaching English at an agricultural university in Peshawar, Pakistan, while serving in the Peace Corps. She then ran the largest income generation program for Afghan women refugees in Pakistan for Save the Children, until she was evacuated from that country during the first Gulf War.

Upon returning to United States, she worked in the private sector where she served as Special Assistant to the President and CEO of Development Associates and for the government of the District of Columbia, where she addressed procurement, financial, and human resources issues under the Office of the Chief Financial Officer.

“Jocelyn Brown Hall is an incredible asset to Counterpart’s Board of Directors and the organization at-large. She brings in-depth knowledge of the agriculture sector and experience in developing innovative public-private partnerships that build food security and ensure healthier livelihoods,” said Ann Hudock, President and CEO of Counterpart International. “Her passion for sustainable agriculture and supporting food systems aligns perfectly to our organization’s mission and vision. On behalf of the entire Counterpart Network, I welcome Jocelyn to our Board of Directors and look forward to great achievements ahead.”

Ms. Brown Hall holds a master’s degree in Business Administration in International Business and Development from the George Washington University and graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University with a bachelor’s degree in American Literature.

About Counterpart International
For over 55 years, Counterpart International has forged partnerships with communities and local organizations to build inclusive, sustainable communities in which people thrive. Our current project portfolio is focused on education, food security and agricultural development, effective governance, institutional strengthening, and economic development.

For more information, please visit Counterpart.org.