Ms. Dwan Dixon has over 20 years of international development experience, managing and supporting large, complex USAID-funded programs. As Chief of Party for the USAID Supporting and AIDS Free ERA (SAFE) Project, she provides overall strategic leadership and oversight for the $142 million USAID-funded program, which ensures comprehensive HIV treatment for over 300,000 individuals. Under USAID SAFE, she leads a staffing complement of 1,000 employees and 1,200 volunteers to support over 300 health facilities and 80 laboratories with direct service delivery and technical support to reach HIV epidemic control.
Chronicling Dwan’s Development Journey
Since 2005, Dwan has served in senior, country-specific and regional leadership roles for health and HIV/AIDS programs in over 17 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. From 2014 to 2017, as PSI’s Country Representative in Lesotho, she led a staffing complement of 500+ employees that implemented four large scale programs for HIV testing and counseling (including pediatric testing), Voluntary Male Medical Circumcision, Antiretroviral therapy initiation, family planning and social behavior change communication.
"... it was because of other women, many of whom are women of color, who didn’t ask or expect me to change that I have had staying power all this time."
From 2010 to 2014, as PATH's Country Program Leader in Ethiopia, she directed a diverse portfolio of HIV/AIDS, nutrition, tuberculosis and malaria programs funded by USAID, and other partners. From 2008 to 2010, as Pact’s Deputy Africa Regional Director and Health & HIV/AIDS Technical Advisor, Dwan supervised a regional team of senior management staff and technical advisors supporting a portfolio that represented nearly 75 percent of Pact Inc. global operations.
From 2005 to 2008, she served as Program Director and Senior Technical Advisor for Pact in South Africa for a $165 million dollar, U.S. Government-funded HIV & AIDS program that focused on strengthening the organizational and technical capacity of local NGOs and CBOs.
What personal and professional insights guide your journey?
I doubted many times that I would survive in this field, but it was because of other women, many of whom are women of color, who didn’t ask or expect me to change that I have had staying power all this time. When others were dismissive, or supportive but not yet ready to extend a hand, these women not only stood up for me but paved a bit of the way before me to grow. They acknowledged my work and supported my potential, they were the ones who extended me a helping hand and made space for me.
I am a woman, a black woman, a black woman who is also a single mother to 4 rambunctious, extraordinary human beings. All too often, I, like countless other women of color, especially black women, are just a statistic, and our stories of perseverance, leadership and achievement against the odds are rarely told. Aside from being a black single mother, I am also a leader and I strongly believe that I am a successful leader because of my unique identity and not despite it. My story is the story of many and it is important to tell, share and hear for everyone.
Dwan Dixon
Dwan Dixon