David Young Finds Hope and Purpose Amid USAID’s Abrupt End

When I started the Amherst College part of this podcast, I wanted to capture the stories of my 1994 classmates who’ve navigated big pivots in their lives. Few stories embody that better than David Young. He joined me from Mozambique, where he and his husband make their home. David’s career has taken him from Amherst’s ROTC program to the Air Force JAG Corps, then into a remarkable 20-year run with USAID. His tenure ended abruptly when the agency was dismantled earlier this year. His reflections on that loss, and the grace and perspective he brings to this moment, are inspiring. We talk about his journey all over the world, his pivotal role in South Sudan’s independence referendum, and what it’s like to help shape democracy and development from the inside out. Highlights: How his upbring led to a life of global service. The emotional impact of USAID’s sudden shutdown, and how he’s processing it. His firsthand memories of historic moments like South Sudan’s independence and Ukraine’s 2013 revolution. Why he’s hopeful about helping rebuild the global development field, possibly from the classroom. The next classmates David wants to hear from next. You can email David at [e-mail].