Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
Business Development
Project Design
Generic

Sharon Valentine

Falls Church,VA

Summary

Strategic international economic development leader with 20+ years of experience in designing and managing donor programs in Europe and Eurasia (E&E). Managed over $300M in USAID programs and designed over $120M in programs to advance EU accession. Led regional training workshops in EU Accession, Enterprise Development, Private Sector Engagement, and Blended Finance. Coordinated with EU DGs and EU bilateral donors on activities and joint funding efforts with SIDA, GIZ, CEFTA, and the private sector. Business development efforts include winning over $50M in USAID programs in E&E, securing over $35M in corporate contributions for Ukraine, and numerous private sector cost-funding efforts.

Overview

25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Division Chief/Acting Division Chief, Office of Economic Growth

USAID Bureau for Europe and Eurasia (E&E)
04.2022 - 07.2025
  • Designed and launched the $80M ACCELERATE program to advance EU Accession, trade and enterprise development in 11 countries.
  • Coordinated with EU DGs and bilateral donors on activities to support EU accession and the Western Balkans Growth Plan.
  • Oversaw the $10M Engines of Growth program that facilitated $200M in new financing for 2,000 firms (1,300 women-owned).
  • Led Private Sector Engagement (PSE) efforts and launched the Assist Ukraine initiative that secured over $35M for Ukraine.
  • Directed the $6M Junior Achievement program that reached 17,000 students in six countries in entrepreneurship and workforce skills.
  • Managed a $2M cost-share grant with the Rotary Foundation that reached 10,000 youth and women in community activities.
  • Built and led a highly performing six-person team.

Acting Managing Director, U.S. Operations

Prosper Africa USAID Bureau for Africa
12.2020 - 04.2022
  • Worked with 17 agencies to develop the Strategy, Implementation and KPIs to increase trade and investment with Africa.
  • Chaired interagency meetings to develop a pipeline of transactions.

Senior Competitiveness Advisor, Office of Economic Growth

USAID Bureau for Europe and Eurasia
09.2017 - 12.2020
  • Designed the $25M EDGE program that reached 300 SMEs, increased exports by 17%, and leveraged 30% in EU donor funds.
  • Led regional workshops for USAID staff on Private Sector Engagement, Enterprise Development, and Access to Finance.

Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP)/Senior Operations Director

FHI 360 USAID Jordan Local Enterprise Support
04.2015 - 09.2017
  • Managed a $70M enterprise resilience program that reached over 20,000 businesses and increased revenue and jobs for 1,500 firms.
  • Successfully deployed a $10M grants fund, resulting in an additional $10M from USAID.
  • Led women’s inclusion activities that produced thousands of loans and jobs for disadvantaged women.
  • Supervised a 55-person team in six field offices and developed a new performance management system.

Senior Economic Growth Advisor

USAID Bureau for Europe and Eurasia
09.2011 - 04.2015
  • Managed the $15M REG project that supported 2,400 enterprises and generated more than $12M in exports.
  • Led several regional workshops for program design in enterprise development, access to finance, and regulatory reform.
  • Supported entrepreneurs through accelerator/incubator training, start-up competitions (with SIDA), resulting in $40M in capital.

Chief of Party (COP)/Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP)/Project Manager

Booz Allen USAID Projects in Armenia and Serbia
09.2005 - 09.2011
  • Led business development efforts that secured $50M+ in economic development projects in the Western Balkans.
  • Served as COP/DCOP for the $14.7M Serbia Competitiveness Program that generated $220M in exports, sales, and jobs.
  • Managed operations for four USAID programs totaling over $50M, including procurement, finance, grants and compliance.
  • Supervised 40+ person teams on three projects, leading recruitment, onboarding, and developing the capacity of local staff to take on leadership roles.

Executive Director

American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) - North Macedonia
09.2001 - 12.2002
  • Increased membership and revenue through member services, diplomatic engagement, and high-level events.
  • Developed policy papers and led advocacy efforts that successfully improved the business environment.

Economic & Commercial Policy Contractor

U.S. Embassy Tbilisi - Georgia
09.2000 - 05.2001
  • Analyzed privatization, foreign investment, trade, and energy issues and advised U.S. companies on how to enter the market.
  • Supported U.S. companies in tourism, agriculture, and infrastructure projects.

Education

MBA - Finance

William and Mary School of Business
Williamsburg, VA
05.2005

MA - International Relations

Georgetown University
Washington, DC
05.1992

BA - Foreign Affairs and Russian Studies

University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA
05.1989

Skills

  • Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Development
  • Workforce Skills and Employment
  • EU Accession
  • Access to Finance
  • Economic Inclusion for Women and Youth
  • Trade Facilitation and Export Promotion
  • FDI Attraction
  • Regulatory Reform

Certification

U.S. Government Contract Officer’s/Agreement Officer’s Representative (COR/AOR) Project Management Certification

Timeline

Division Chief/Acting Division Chief, Office of Economic Growth

USAID Bureau for Europe and Eurasia (E&E)
04.2022 - 07.2025

Acting Managing Director, U.S. Operations

Prosper Africa USAID Bureau for Africa
12.2020 - 04.2022

Senior Competitiveness Advisor, Office of Economic Growth

USAID Bureau for Europe and Eurasia
09.2017 - 12.2020

Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP)/Senior Operations Director

FHI 360 USAID Jordan Local Enterprise Support
04.2015 - 09.2017

Senior Economic Growth Advisor

USAID Bureau for Europe and Eurasia
09.2011 - 04.2015

Chief of Party (COP)/Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP)/Project Manager

Booz Allen USAID Projects in Armenia and Serbia
09.2005 - 09.2011

Executive Director

American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) - North Macedonia
09.2001 - 12.2002

Economic & Commercial Policy Contractor

U.S. Embassy Tbilisi - Georgia
09.2000 - 05.2001

MA - International Relations

Georgetown University

BA - Foreign Affairs and Russian Studies

University of Virginia

MBA - Finance

William and Mary School of Business

Business Development

  • USAID Serbia Competitiveness Project - $14.7M
  • USAID Kosovo Private Enterprise Program (2008-2013) - $18M
  • USAID Macedonia Business Enabling Activity Project (2010-2014) - $7M
  • USAID Serbia Bankruptcy Administration Strengthening (2006-2011) - $10M
  • USAID Serbia Commercial Court Administration Project (2005-2008) - $1.7M

Project Design

  • Advancing Commerce, Connectivity and Exports Leading to Economic Readiness for Accession to the EU (ACCELERATE) - $80M anticipated
  • Economic Development, Governance and Enterprise Growth (EDGE) - $25M
  • Regional Economic Growth (REG) - $15M

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