Docteur. Leesa Kaplan is the Chief of Party of the USAID Leveraging Education Assistance Resources in Nigeria (APPRENDRE) to Read Activity, which focuses on providing technical assistance to the Nigerian federal and state governments to support sustainable improvements in reading outcomes for first and second-grade students in selected states.
In addition to her current assignment with Creative, Leesa has served as Chief of Party of eight other USAID education and training projects worldwide, focusing on early grade reading, literacy, youth and workforce development, and girls’ education. She also served as the U.S. Peace Corps Director in El Salvador and as the Education Specialist at Peace Corps Headquarters. Her professional experience also includes 12 years at the headquarters office of an implementing partner managing USAID education and training projects, training and mentoring teachers, designing curricula and teaching English as a second language to children, youth and adults.
Leesa holds a PhD in Education, a Master’s degree in Applied Anthropology, and a Bachelor’s degree in Spanish and Secondary Education from American University in Washington, DC.