"Do not get lost in a sea of despair." - John Lewis

During her 18 years with USAID--mostly in Africa--Keisha Effiom worked in environments that most people will never fully understand, but was always deeply committed to the mission. And then it was gone. Not gradually. Not on her terms. Just gone. Yet, when USAID was immediately halted, the teams around the world were still in place. And the team that Keisha led needed answers. They needed reassurance. They needed leadership. This is that story.

Keisha Effiom served with USAID for almost two decades. Her last role was as Mission Director in Rwanda. She also served in Ghana, Tanzania, Liberia, Nigeria, and Washington, DC. She began her government career with the U.S. Department of Justice. She is the author of I Said My Piece with Peace: Inside USAID's Final Days: A Testament of Leadership When Everything Falls Apart, a firsthand account of leading with integrity when institutions fail.

She is currently the CEO and co-founder of the Imara Advisory Group--a strategic advisory firm, founded with three other senior foreign service officers--built at the intersection of U.S. government compliance, international development, and African markets. To learn more about Keisha, her book, and her writing, visit her website here.

Keisha Effiom

Keisha with her USAID team in Rwanda

Keisha sticks the landing

I Said My Piece with Peace (link above)

SHOW CREDITS

SP/FS Producer & Host: Christopher Wurst

Opening Voices: Dmitri Wurst, Elena Wurst, Kjara Wurst, Christopher Wurst

Voice of Dubious Aunt Deb: Cathy Zielske

Cold Open Music: BWM – The Brina Band

Dubious Aunt Deb Music: Cass County Beauty Queen – Alan Singley

Episode Music:

Cold Faces, Bright Hearts – Severin Sparkle Quartet

The Light Garden – Boom Boom Beckett

Jolenta Clears the Table – Doctor Turtle

Love of My Life – BoxCat Games

My Favorite Regret (Instrumental) – Josh Woodward

The Snowgarden – Blue Dot Sessions

Interview date: April 1, 2026