Vitessa Del Prete
Arlington,VA
Summary
Proactive and versatile professional with a dedication to quickly adapting to new challenges. Strong problem-solving abilities and a proven track record of fostering strong relationships with clients and team members. Focused on supporting team success and achieving positive results. Results-oriented individual with a passion for continuous learning and innovation. Known for leveraging analytical thinking and creativity to solve problems and deliver high-impact solutions in fast-paced environments.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Chief, Programs and Grants, Public Diplomacy
U.S. Department of State
Washington, DC
09.2005 - Current
- Is the principal advisor responsible for coordinating all Foreign Assistance, Diplomatic and Consular Program funds, and public diplomacy programming, including the management of thousands of grants worth more than $1.6 billion in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the rest of the South and Central Asian region. This is the largest public diplomacy grant portfolio in the Department. Is responsible for assistance coordination and the formation of all operational policies related to the implementation of these responsibilities; formulates reports and correspondence on these issues for senior officials/principal leadership of the State Department, Congress, the White House, and various U.S. government agencies. Directly supervises a staff of eleven Direct Hire employees and embedded contractors who function as Program Officers, Grants Officers, Grants Analysts, Program Specialists, and Budget Analysts, and directs hundreds of Foreign Service and Locally Employed Staff Grant Officer Representatives in the field.
Public Affairs Officer, Libyan External Office
U.S. Department of State
Washington, DC
09.2024 - 02.2025
Team Lead for Palestinian Refugees
U.S. Department of State
Washington, DC
03.2011 - 03.2013
- As the lead U.S. The government liaison with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) managed a $247 million portfolio that ensured adequate assistance and protection for more than 4.7 million Palestinian refugees in the Near East region, specifically Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank, Gaza, and other non-Iraqi populations of concern. Supervised and provided technical requirements and descriptions of work to be accomplished to foreign and civil service team members, and directly engaged in the work of the organization. Managed an institutional and programmatic relationship with UNRWA; collected, analyzed, and reported on relevant humanitarian developments; coordinated with relevant actors in the USG's humanitarian response to Palestinian refugees and conflict victims. Developed priorities, recommended, and implemented specific diplomatic and programmatic initiatives in support of protection and assistance for refugees and conflict victims in the region. Oversaw PRM's protection and foreign assistance budget for Palestinian refugees; led budget formulation, evaluated, and monitored PRM-funded programs for this population. Coordinated all regional policy and program papers for Palestinian refugees, and conflict victims in the Near East. Monitored developing political situations, significant issues, and trends in assigned areas.
Justice Team Leader for Iraq
U.S. Department of State
Arlington, VA
07.2009 - 05.2010
- Managed a portfolio that provided technical assistance in support of Iraq’s justice system, with a strong emphasis on the rule of law. Managed and provided direct oversight for more than $100 million in grants, contracts, and inter-agency agreements for programs that address judicial security, court administration, anti-corruption, legislative reform, and build capacity for Iraq’s judicial sector. Directly supervised one Foreign Service employee and one civil service employee; managed others engaged in the work of the Department. Managed budget formulations and all financial processes for these programs. Routinely conducted related research to develop policy guidance on selected key issues relevant to the U.S. embassy in Iraq, as well as bureau priorities. Oversaw and reviewed the work of a team of grants, contracts, and interagency agreement professionals; directly supervised three program officers in Washington, and indirectly supervised a team of six program coordinators and contractor officer representatives in Baghdad.
Iraq Program Officer
U.S. Department of State
Washington, DC
08.2008 - 06.2009
- Managed a portfolio that addressed democracy, human rights, and humanitarian assistance for Iraq, including returned refugees and internally displaced persons. Responsible for coordinating all foreign assistance, and providing grant administration, project performance review, and compliance assessments for more than 70 grants worth over $400 million. Managed and reviewed the work of a total of three grants management/program assistants. Managed all Iraq funding and programming for the Department of State’s International Women’s Issues office (G/IWI), and ensured its compliance with DRL policies, as well as the G/IWI mandate. Managed program proposals, including the assessment, development, and review of RFPs. Managed budget formulations and all financial processes for all of these programs.
Program Officer, Middle East and North Africa
U.S. Department of Commerce
Washington, DC
03.2002 - 08.2005
- Devised, developed, implemented, and evaluated various legal and economic technical assistance programs within the broader Middle East and North Africa region (MENA), to include programs on women’s issues, capacity building for small to medium-sized enterprises, bankruptcy, government procurement, intellectual property, internet technology, university-to-business transfer, and others. Assisted in the implementation and evaluation of various other programs focused on legal and economic reform in Asia. Provided extensive guidance on these programs to department officials at all levels of the organization. Briefed audiences include Congressional and legislative staff, U.S. ambassadors, foreign diplomats and government officials, and staffs of non-governmental organization and international organization, international visiting students, and the general public. Assisted in the development and implementation of United States foreign policy through the implementation of women’s empowerment projects, as well as projects aimed at regional business.
Education
Master of Arts - Anthropology/Middle Eastern Studies
University of Texas At Austin
Austin, TX05-2001
Skills
- Multitasking Abilities
- Leadership
- Innovation and creativity
- Program strategy development
- Performance evaluation
- Partnership development
Languages
Arabic
Professional
Italian
Limited
Spanish
Limited
Career Highlights
- Managed the implementation of $4 billion in federal assistance and public diplomacy funding during two decades of intense international political crises in the Middle East, and South and Central Asia.
- Managed all aspects of public diplomacy during the reopening of the U.S. the U.S. Embassy in Libya in 2024.
- Throughout the nation’s longest war, I created and led two teams of experts in the Department’s largest Public Diplomacy portfolio, improving U.S. Diplomatic relations with Afghanistan, Pakistan, Central Asia, and the Indo-Pacific region.
- Directly supported the processing of more than 17,000 Afghan partners during and after the collapse of Afghanistan.
- Custom-built and managed a boutique $200 million contract to support program monitoring and evaluation, and the project management process, now used department-wide.
- Created federal award management processes spotlighted by the State’s OIG as a “Best Practice,” and recommended for implementation across the Department.
- Co-drafted the Department’s first intra-agency Democracy and Human Rights Strategy for Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom; deployed the strategy before, during, and after the military surge.
- Retired Lieutenant Colonel, U. S. Army.
Accomplishments
- Fellowship at the U.S. House of Representatives
- Fellowship at the U.S. Department of Defense
U.S. Department of State: Quality Step Increase (2014), Meritorious Honor Award (2017, 2006, 2007), Franklin Award (2007), Superior Honor Award, (2009)
Military: Meritorious Service Medal (1996); Army Commendation Medal (1991, 1992, 1997, 1998, 2001); Army Achievement Medal (1999), National Defense Service Ribbon Medal (1991); South West Asian Service Ribbon (1991); Saudi Arabian Liberation of Kuwait Ribbon (1991); Kuwaiti Liberation of Kuwait Ribbon (1991); Humanitarian Service Medal (1997); Parachutist Badge (1985); Air Assault Badge (1992); Australian Parachutist Badge (1997)
Civilian: Anthropological Study Grant (1998), Department of Social Sciences Grant (1999), Phi Kappa Phi Honors
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Public Affairs Officer, Libyan External Office
U.S. Department of State
09.2024 - 02.2025
Team Lead for Palestinian Refugees
U.S. Department of State
03.2011 - 03.2013
Justice Team Leader for Iraq
U.S. Department of State
07.2009 - 05.2010
Iraq Program Officer
U.S. Department of State
08.2008 - 06.2009
Chief, Programs and Grants, Public Diplomacy
U.S. Department of State
09.2005 - Current
Program Officer, Middle East and North Africa
U.S. Department of Commerce
03.2002 - 08.2005
Master of Arts - Anthropology/Middle Eastern Studies
University of Texas At Austin
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