Leland Kruvant named Chair of the Council of International Development Companies

December 8, 2020

Creative President and CEO Leland Kruvant was named Chair of the Council of International Development Companies, which provides thought leadership and demonstrates the unique value its members provide to achieve the United States’ global development goals. 

“CIDC has been at the forefront of advocating on behalf of development and putting forth constructive and intelligent ideas of how to make development more effective, sustainable and accountable,” Kruvant said during the council’s Dec. 8 annual conference.  

His appointment, which is effective Jan. 1, 2021, occurs during the critical transition to the newly elected Biden administration. The outgoing Chair, Cristina Mossi, Owner & CEO of Development InfoStructure, Inc., and Paul Foldi, Vice President of International Development Affairs at the Professional Services Council, have set meetings with the president-elect’s transition team focusing on global development and diplomacy. 

“In support of our shared vision, we’ve had the privilege of collaborating to date with four USAID administrators and six secretaries of State” during CIDC’s 10 years of existence, said Kruvant. “While each of these public servants has had their own unique agenda, they all shared one common belief: that development is a critical element of how America engages around the world.” 

Part of the Professional Services Council of Arlington, Va., CIDC creates a dynamic, sustainable advocacy platform for U.S. development companies. It engages in high-level dialogue with Congress and federal government agencies involved in development. In addition to advocating, educating and facilitating engagement on pressing international development issues, CIDC also informs and advocates on contracting, regulatory, legislative, business process and business development issues with key legislative and executive stakeholders. 

Kruvant reinforced the membership’s dedication to locally focused and owned development.  

“As development practitioners, we are continuously challenged to learn, adapt and innovate to exceed our clients’ expectations and have a lasting, locally owned impact on the beneficiaries that we serve,” Kruvant said. “The expertise housed in our businesses is impressive. The results of our efforts around the world are immense.” 

Kruvant expressed his appreciation for Mossi’s leadership as Chair during the past year. 

“She’s done a terrific job leading this impressive organization and guiding us through a challenging time,” he said. “All of us are indebted to you for your service to the cause of development and moving CIDC’s agenda forward.” 

In addition to thanking Mossi for her service as the Chair, he thanked Carol Yee with Kanava and Eric Bjornlund with Democracy International for their years of service on CIDC’s Executive Advisory Board. 

Susan Chodakewitz, CEO of Nathan Associates, was named as the Vice Chair starting Jan. 1, replacing Kruvant. 

Watch the video below to learn more about Creative’s approach to working with local partners: