Kimberly Ball, Director of USAID's Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization joins Mike Shanley to discuss small businesses and localization, success in using small businesses, how to connect with OSDBU, and what's next.    RESOURCES: Learn More about the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization Connect with Kimberly Ball on LinkedIn Aid Market Podcast Aid Market Podcast YouTube Mike Shanley LinkedIn BIOGRAPHY:  Kimberly Ball serves as the Director of the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU).  USAID/OSDBU coordinates the Small Business Program and is the initial point of contact at USAID for all categories of U.S. small businesses.  USAID/OSDBU also oversees USAID’s efforts to increase the participation of Minority Serving Institutions of Higher Education in USAID-sponsored programs and activities. Prior to joining OSDBU in 2008, Ms. Ball served as a Contract Specialist in USAID’s Management/Office of Acquisition and Assistance (M/OAA).   During her ten year stint in M/OAA, she supported the Global Health (GH), Europe and Eurasia (E&E), Economic Growth and Trade (EGAT), Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance (DCHA) Bureaus and M/OAA’s Policy Division.  She ended her M/OAA career as a Contracting Officer and Team Leader supporting various divisions in the DCHA Bureau. Prior to joining USAID, Ms. Ball worked as a contract negotiator with the United States Air Force.  As a civilian employee of the U. S. Air Force, Ms. Ball served at Nellis Air Force Base, Gunter Annex and Bolling Air Force Base.  She began her career with the U.S. Air Force as a Palace Acquire Intern. Ms. Ball holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Hampton University.   LEARN MORE Thank you for tuning into this episode of the Aid Market Podcast. You can learn more about working with USAID by visiting our homepage: Konektid International and AidKonekt. To connect with our team directly, message the host Mike Shanley on LinkedIn.