William Garvelink, former U.S. Ambassador to The Democratic Republic of the Congo, will speak on the current COVID crisis using lessons learned from Ebola and his experience as a senior diplomat. During his presentation, he’ll outline the following:
Global trends that contribute to the increased likelihood of a pandemic like COVID-19
Characteristics of COVID-19
Steps to control the spread of the virus in the United States
Procedures for reopening the United States
COVID-19, the world and the United States
The future with pandemics
Serving as a U.S. Ambassador from 2007 to 2010, Garvelink’s work prior to that was at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), where his responsibilities included oversight of the agency’s worldwide humanitarian assistance and democracy programs.
Garvelink spent 1988-99 in the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA), working around the globe to conduct assessments and direct relief operations.
A career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Ambassador Garvelink received numerous Meritorious and Superior Service Awards and two Senior Foreign Service Presidential Meritorious Honor Awards.
Ambassador Garvelink holds a bachelor’s degree from Calvin College and a master’s from the University of Minnesota.
A special thank you to the Calvin Academy of Lifelong Learners (CALL) for their support in this programming.
