Don Gressett joined UNDP as Washington Representation Office Director in October 2021 after 21 years at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

For the last 16 years, he held the post of Assistant General Counsel for Legislation and Policy—serving as lead attorney for the development and execution of USAID’s annual budget, as well as the drafting, negotiation, and interpretation of legislation impacting USAID programs and operations. Don also temporarily served as acting Deputy Assistant Administrator for Legislative affairs, as well as acting Assistant Administrator for USAID’s Bureau for Legislative and Public Affairs. On multiple occasions, Don was also seconded to the United States Senate Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs, where he drafted multiple aspects of appropriations acts and provided Congressional oversight of US-funded development programs. Prior to joining USAID, Don worked for the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) Rule of Law Initiative and served on active duty in the US Air Force as a judge advocate. Don holds a BA in history from Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy, Massachusetts, as well as both an MA in Law and International Affairs and a JD from American University in Washington, DC.