High Energy Planet Katie and Rose on the Future of Foreign Aid
Mar 21, 2025
The hosts dive into the consequences of dismantling USAID, revealing its effects on global energy investments. They share personal insights from their government experience while stressing the importance of African agency in development aid. The discussion highlights the shift in U.S. foreign policy and advocates for humanizing aid narratives. Community resilience and support for public servants amid layoffs are also emphasized, alongside a call for renewed bipartisan backing for foreign assistance, all framed within the context of evolving global challenges.
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Rose's Career Path
- Rose Mutiso's first policy job was in the US Senate, working for Senator Chris Coons on energy and innovation.
- She later worked at the Department of Energy, connecting technical knowledge with development efforts in Africa.
Katie's Power Africa Journey
- Katie Hoff joined the Power Africa team in 2014, drawn by its combined focus on development and climate.
- She witnessed the program's evolution under both Obama and Trump administrations.
Rose's Early Perception of USAID
- Growing up in Kenya, Rose Mutiso saw USAID mainly through a humanitarian lens, particularly food aid.
- Her parents' involvement in international environmental policy gave her a different perspective on development work.