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United States Institute of Peace

Katie Todd

Program Specialist

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Please submit all media inquiries to interviews@usip.org or call 202.429.3869.

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Katherine Todd is a program specialist for West Africa at USIP, with a focus on conflict prevention and fragility research, policy and programming.

Todd joined USIP after her experience as a sustainable agriculture systems agent in the Peace Corps, where she worked with women and youth on agri-business based projects in northern Benin.

Throughout her time at USIP, she has continued to work in West Africa and expanded her expertise in countries such as Nigeria, Benin, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea and Togo. Thematically, she focuses on conflict prevention, economic and gender inequalities, the spread of violent extremism, interreligious coalition building, trauma healing, and traditional and cultural reconciliation mechanisms.

Todd holds a master’s degree in international peace and conflict resolution from American University with a concentration in peacebuilding.

Publications By Katie

Liberia Shows a Path Toward Democracy in West Africa

Liberia Shows a Path Toward Democracy in West Africa

Thursday, February 1, 2024

By: Matthew Reitman ;   Katie Todd

Liberia’s presidential inauguration last week, a peaceful transfer of power between opposed political parties, strengthens its postwar democracy — an achievement that we should highlight as an instructive counterpoint to West Africa’s military coups and other erosions of democracy. While 5 million Liberians confront crises including poverty, corruption and poor infrastructure, their progress in stabilizing from decades of war offers lessons for us all. Liberians’ vital strengths in this peaceful transfer include strong political will, reflected in record voter turnout, and a potent civic history of nonviolent movements for change, buttressed by U.S. support in countering corruption.

Type: Analysis

Democracy & Governance

Vice President Harris Helps Focus on Ghana, West Africa

Vice President Harris Helps Focus on Ghana, West Africa

Thursday, March 30, 2023

By: Palwasha L. Kakar ;   Katie Todd

Vice President Kamala Harris’ choice of Ghana this week as the place to launch her show of U.S. commitment to a new partnership with Africa can be no surprise. Ghana is one of Africa’s more established democracies and is at the center of the coastal West Africa region that the United States has targeted for focused efforts to prevent instability and the spread of extremism that is driving insurgencies in the neighboring Sahel region. As Ghana confronts that threat, notably in its vulnerable north, its community and civil society groups form an essential resource that partners should support.

Type: Analysis

Fragility & Resilience;  Religion

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