Mark Green (Wisconsin politician) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mark Green
Official portrait, 2017
President of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
In office March 15, 2021 – April 1, 2025
President	Donald Trump
Preceded by	Jane Harman
Executive Director of the McCain Institute for International Leadership
In office April 11, 2020 – March 14, 2021
Preceded by	Kurt Volker
Succeeded by	Josette Sheeran
18th Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development
In office August 7, 2017 – April 10, 2020
President	Donald Trump
Preceded by	Gayle Smith
Succeeded by	Samantha Power
United States Ambassador to Tanzania
In office September 12, 2007 – January 20, 2009
President	George W. Bush
Preceded by	Michael Retzer
Succeeded by	Alfonso E. Lenhardt
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Wisconsin's 8th district
In office January 3, 1999 – January 3, 2007
Preceded by	Jay W. Johnson
Succeeded by	Steve Kagen
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 4th district
In office January 4, 1993 – January 3, 1999
Preceded by	John Ainsworth
Succeeded by	Phil Montgomery
Personal details
Born	Mark Andrew Green (1960-06-01) June 1, 1960 (age 65) Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Sue Green ​ (m. 1985)​
Children	3
Education	University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire (BA) University of Wisconsin–Madison (JD)

Mark Andrew Green (born June 1, 1960) is an American politician and diplomat who has held many important jobs in the U.S. government and with international organizations. A politician is someone who works in government, and a diplomat is a person who represents their country abroad.

He has served as the head of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, the McCain Institute for International Leadership, and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). He was also a member of the United States House of Representatives for Wisconsin and the United States Ambassador to Tanzania.

Early Life and Schooling

Mark Green was born in Boston, Massachusetts. Because his father was from South Africa, Mark spent some time there as a child. His family moved around a lot, so he also lived in places like England and Australia. He went to high school in De Pere, Wisconsin.

For college, Green went to the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire and later earned a law degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1987. In law school, he was a top student and even won an award for his writing about laws in other countries.

Career in Politics and Government

After finishing law school, Green started his career as a lawyer in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Wisconsin State Assembly

In 1992, Green was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly. This is a part of the Wisconsin state government that makes laws for the state. He served there for six years and became a leader in the Republican party. He worked on laws related to the justice system and housing. His work earned him awards from many groups, including farmers, business owners, and home builders.

U.S. House of Representatives

In 1998, Green was elected to the United States House of Representatives, which is part of the U.S. Congress that makes laws for the entire country. He represented Wisconsin's 8th district for four terms, from 1999 to 2007.

In Congress, Green was on the House International Relations Committee, where he helped write important laws. These laws included the Millennium Challenge Act, which helps developing countries, and acts to fight diseases like HIV/AIDS around the world.

He also worked to bring attention to human rights issues. He spoke up for the Hmong people in Laos, many of whom had moved to Wisconsin as refugees after the Vietnam War. He wanted to make sure people living under unfair governments were treated better.

2006 Run for Governor

In 2006, Green ran for Governor of Wisconsin. He was the Republican candidate but did not win the election against the current governor, Jim Doyle.

Ambassador to Tanzania

Green visits a center for orphans in Arusha, Tanzania, in 2007. A Peace Corps volunteer was teaching students there.

In 2007, President George W. Bush chose Green to be the United States Ambassador to Tanzania. An ambassador is the top U.S. official representing America in another country. The United States Senate approved his new role, and he served until 2009.

While he was ambassador, U.S. President George W. Bush made the first official visit to Tanzania by a sitting president. Green also helped secure the largest-ever agreement with the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), a U.S. agency that helps countries reduce poverty through economic growth.

Working for Non-Profit Groups

Green meeting with government ministers in Tanzania.

After his time as an ambassador, Green worked for several non-governmental organizations (NGOs). NGOs are groups that work to help people and are not part of any government.

He was a director at Malaria No More, a group working to end the disease malaria. He also worked with the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition, which supports using diplomacy and development to make the world safer. From 2014 to 2017, he was the president of the International Republican Institute, an organization that promotes democracy around the world.

Head of USAID

Green speaking to reporters in March 2019.

In 2017, President Donald Trump nominated Green to be the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). USAID is the part of the U.S. government that is in charge of giving aid and assistance to foreign countries.

His nomination was supported by many aid organizations and politicians from both parties. He was known for working well with everyone to support foreign aid. He led USAID from August 2017 until April 2020.

Personal Life

Mark Green married Susan Keske in 1985, and they have three children. In 1987, before he started his political career, he and his wife spent a year as volunteer teachers in Kenya with a program called WorldTeach. This experience gave them a firsthand look at life in rural Africa.

Electoral history

Images for kids

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  Green with Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok in December 2019

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  Green with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in August 2019