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Rajiv Shah

Rajiv Shah is a former Democratic Party operative who currently works as president of the Rockefeller Foundation. The Rockefeller Foundation is a left-of-center grantmaking organization that supports environmentalist organizations and social policy advocacy through support for organizations such as New America, the Urban Institute, and the Funders Committee on Civic Participation. 1 Between 2009 and 2015, Shah was the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Aid (USAID) for the Obama administration. 2

Early Life

Rajiv Shah was born on March 9, 1973. 3 He received a bachelor of science in economics in 1995 form the University of Michigan, a medical doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania in 2002, and master of arts in healthcare management and economics in 2005 from the University of Pennsylvania. 4

Between 2002 and 2009, Shah was a director at the left-of-center Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, an organization that has historically supported abortion-advocacy groups such as Planned Parenthood 5 and worked alongside left-of-center labor unions, such as the American Federation of Teachers. 6

Obama Administration

In 2009, Rajiv Shah was appointed by the Obama administration as the 16th Administrator of the United States Agency for International Aid (USAID). 7 USAID has been criticized for providing endless financial support, mainly in the form of taxpayer-supported loans, to corporations seeking to expand their footprint in the developing world, rather than supporting developing countries. 8 USAID has in particular been criticized under Shah for this development, with the left-leaning publication Current Affairs crediting the Obama administration with taking corporate investment by USAID to “large strategic proportions.” 9

During his time at USAID, Shah gained a reputation for building consensus between USAID and Republican lawmakers on foreign aid funding when common ground in other areas with the Obama administration seemed elusive. 10 Some have given Shah credit for a “transformation” at USAID due to his “ability to negotiate the work of an administration many feel showed little interest in extending its hand for congressional support.” 11

Rockefeller Foundation

Rajiv Shah has led the left-of-center Rockefeller Foundation since 2017. 12 During his tenure, the Rockefeller Foundation has become more active in race-focused social policy, including initiatives that earmark capital funding for small businesses led by African American and Latino people. 13 Shah also oversaw a $1.5 million contribution to the left-wing Boston University Center for Antiracist Research. 14

References

  1. Kirk MacDonald, “The Rockefeller Foundation At The Century Mark:  Betraying Donor Intent and Harming America” Capital Research Center. December 3, 2012. Accessed August 14, 2021. http://www.capitalresearch.org/article/the-rockefeller-foundation-at-the-century-mark-betraying-donor-intent-and-harming-america/
  2. Khastagir, Saheli. “Aid for Profit: The Dark History of USAID” Current Affairs. March 10, 2021. Accessed August 14, 2021. https://www.currentaffairs.org/2021/03/aid-for-profit-the-dark-history-of-usaid
  3. “Administrator of USAID: Who is Rajiv Shah?” AllGov. July 11, 2010. Accessed August 14, 2021. http://www.allgov.com/news/appointments-and-resignations/administrator-of-usaid-who-is-rajiv-shah?news=841116
  4. “Dr. Rajiv Shah” Linkedin. https://www.linkedin.com/in/drrajivjshah/
  5. “Planned Parenthood of Central Washington Receives Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Grant of $75,000 for New Walla Walla Center” Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. https://www.gatesfoundation.org/ideas/media-center/press-releases/2001/05/planned-parenthood-receives-grant
  6. “American Federation of Teachers” Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. July 10, 2020. Accessed August 14, 2021. https://www.gatesfoundation.org/ideas/speeches/2010/07/american-federation-of-teachers
  7. “Dr. Rajiv Shah” Linkedin. https://www.linkedin.com/in/drrajivjshah/
  8. Khastagir, Saheli. “Aid for Profit: The Dark History of USAID” Current Affairs. https://www.currentaffairs.org/2021/03/aid-for-profit-the-dark-history-of-usaid
  9.  Khastagir, Saheli. “Aid for Profit: The Dark History of USAID” Current Affairs. March 10, 2021. Accessed August 14, 2021. https://www.currentaffairs.org/2021/03/aid-for-profit-the-dark-history-of-usaid
  10. Igoe, Michael. “Rajiv Shah’s USAID legacy” devex. February 12, 2015. Accessed August 14, 2021. https://www.devex.com/news/rajiv-shah-s-usaid-legacy-85239
  11. [1] Igoe, Michael. “Rajiv Shah’s USAID legacy” devex. February 12, 2015. Accessed August 14, 2021. https://www.devex.com/news/rajiv-shah-s-usaid-legacy-85239
  12. “Dr. Rajiv Shah” Linkedin. https://www.linkedin.com/in/drrajivjshah/
  13. “US Equity and Economic Opportunity Initiative” Rockefeller Foundation. https://www.rockefellerfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/US-Equity-and-Economic-Opportunity.pdf
  14. “Narrative” Boston University – Center for Anti-Racist Research. https://www.bu.edu/antiracism-center/narrative/
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