Skip to content

From USAID to the Ballot Box

May 21, 2026 · 41 min

Show notes

Three former USAID officers. Three Maryland races. One mission: keep serving.

In this episode of Global Development Interrupted, host Leah Petit sits down with Alicia Contreras-Donello, running for Maryland House of Delegates District 14; Allison Eriksen, running for Montgomery County Council District 3; and Tracy Starr, running for US House of Representatives District 5.

Together they share their stories of humble beginnings, careers defined by public service, and the moment they decided that the best way to keep serving was to change the system from the inside.

From economic development and renewable energy to food security and human rights, these women are bringing the skills that USAID built — and the communities that shaped them — directly to the ballot box. If you believe that government should be representative of the people it serves, this episode is for you.

Maryland early voting runs June 11th through 18th. Primary Election Day is June 23rd.

This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Interested in learning more about these candidates? Check them out below!

Alicia Contreras-Donello - Maryland House of Delegates District 14

📸 Instagram/TikTok: @aliciaformaryland 👍 Facebook/LinkedIn: Alicia for Maryland 🌐 Website: aliciacontrerasdonello.com

Allison Eriksen - Montgomery County Council District 3

📸 Instagram: @allisonformoco 🌐 Website: allisonformoco.com

Tracy Starr - Maryland’s 5th District

📸 Instagram: @tracyforcongress26 🌐 Website: friendsoftracy.com

Stay connected with Global Development Interrupted

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Youtube

Instagram: @globaldevinterrupted | Facebook: Global Development Interrupted



This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit globaldevinterrupted.substack.com/subscribe

All episodes of Global Development Interrupted Podcast

Settings

Display

Language

Decides which stations you see first on the home page.

History

Recently played stations and episodes and your latest searches are only stored in this browser.

Notifications

A short notice when a podcast you follow has a new episode. Turn off single podcasts with the bell on their page.

Account

Save favorites – in the app and on the website.

Keyboard shortcuts

/
Open search
Space
Play or pause
← →
In the player: back 15 s, forward 30 s (episodes) · in a row: next tile
↑ ↓
In a row: target within the tile
Home / End
In a row: first or last tile
Esc
Close window or menu
?
This overview
Now playing

Go to station page

Play next

    Add episodes with “Play next” – they play after the current episode.