“My parents,” says Ambassador Gaddi Vasquez, “were migrant farm workers — a man and woman who were of great, great faith and believed that through the Lord, all things were possible.”

Ambassador Vasquez’s quintessentially American story demonstrates God’s ability to accomplish the seemingly impossible. From his humble beginnings, he would go on to lead the largest volunteer organization in the world, the Peace Corps, and serve as US ambassador to the United Nations Agency for Food and Agriculture. He describes his remarkable career in this “Board Matters” podcast interview.

Dale Bannon: You were the director of the Peace Corps under the Bush administration. What are some insights that you share about successfully managing such a large, complex organization like the Peace Corps?

Gaddi Vasquez: I think one of the first things that one must do as a leader is to ensure that you fully understand, both in your heart and in your mind, the mission and the vision of the organization. Your mind will help you arrive at critical decisions. And in the case of the Peace Corps, there were instances where I had to make some very tough decisions about the future of some programs.

I was the first director of the Peace Corps after the attacks of September 11. You can imagine that there was concern about global safety and security. We immediately embarked on a mission to ensure that we had all of the protocols in place, that we had the infrastructure to be able to respond. The Peace Corps has always been about promoting peace, friendship, and understanding.

During the four and a half years that I was blessed to lead the Peace Corps, I was able to witness the passion that people had to serve. You have to be willing to give up two years of your life to go overseas and serve in a new country. The language is new, the culture is new, but it’s in the context of promoting that peace, that friendship and that understanding.

I consider leading the Peace Corps to have been one of the true highlights of my life and career because I worked side by side with Americans, both in Washington and abroad, and volunteers who had a common purpose. We’re all heading to the same purpose and the same cause. And so consequently, we’re able to do some great work. 

Dale Bannon: You were ambassador to the United Nations Agency for Food and Agriculture in Rome, Italy. How did that happen?

Gaddi Vasquez: I ended up being the third longest serving director in the history of the Peace Corps. It was time for a change, and I offered to take on a role where I could really make an impact. And when I was overseas, I learned that the president intended to nominate me to that position. I was deeply honored.

The Food and Agriculture Organization, which is the research organization and policy organization for the UN, gave me an opportunity to be the person who represented the United States to ensure that the programs were making an impact. While you are operating within the framework of a very large bureaucracy, you have to remind yourself that there are literally millions of people out there in the world who are relying on effective and meaningful policy decisions to result in the delivery of food and opportunities for growing agriculture. 

In America we can drive down the street to the supermarket and pretty much shop at will. That’s not the case in most of the world. People struggle every day, and to be able to enact policy that makes a difference for them is a supreme honor. I traveled to some of the most challenging places on earth, seeing, in some cases, the triumphs, the victories, the success. But in other places, you see the suffering of humanity on a grand scale. That reminds you why your work is important.

Dale Bannon: How did you come to The Salvation Army? 

Gaddi Vasquez: Many years ago, a great friend of mine invited me to come to an advisory board meeting for The Salvation Army in Orange County.

I had always admired the Army. I vividly remember trips as a child  to The Salvation Army store because we couldn’t shop at the more traditional clothing stores. I remember so vividly the image of the shield. The Salvation Army shield is recognizable anywhere. And I can say that with certainty. When I traveled the world, there were occasions that I would be in some remote countries and I’d see a Salvation Army shield and I knew I was right at home. I knew where I would find my friends. 

I was already taken, because I already had that history with The Salvation Army and I was inspired by the work of the Army at a very early age. But then when I went to that meeting, that was it, that sealed the deal. And I absolutely could not deny the invitation to become part of the advisory board in Orange County.

We are very blessed and fortunate to have a robust and thriving Salvation Army here in Orange County. We enjoy great community support. So when I was invited to the National Advisory Board, that was a huge honor for me to be able to step onto that stage, so to speak, and be able to join with some tremendous Americans and people of faith who believe in the mission and the purpose of The Salvation Army. 

When I went overseas, I had to take a leave from the National Advisory Board (NAB). But when I came back, I received an invitation to return and that’s where I’ve been. It’s a tremendous group of Americans who truly believe in the mission of the heart and the soul of the Army.

Dale Bannon: Our fastest growing Salvation Army units are in many Hispanic neighborhoods throughout the country. How do we gain support for The Salvation Army with the fastest growing demographic in America?

Gaddi Vasquez: This is something I have been advocating for a very long time. The growth of the [Hispanic] community has been such that great organizations have now taken notice. The question is, how do we connect? 

First is that relationship, that trust factor. Studies have identified one of the traits of the Latino community is that it’s a very loyal community that once the trust is built, the integrity of that relationship is very sustainable.

This is an abundant opportunity, not only in a material sense, but in spiritual senses as well. Because faith gives people a sense of hope that things can be better.

Things will get better if you believe in the Lord, and take up a standard of faith that sustains you through tough economic, social, political times. The Army is a leader in innovating and pivoting to building that relationship of trust and faith and confidence with the Hispanic community.

I believe that the Army is well positioned to achieve some great things and frankly, to become a go-to organization for others to learn how you do it right. How you build that sense of confidence, trust, and relationship with the fastest growing demographic in America.

Dale Bannon: If we could make you the General of the international Salvation Army for one day, what would you do?

Gaddi Vasquez: I would thank God for the privilege. Because it’s such an enormous task, I would have to think that through, but I would contemplate the privilege, the honor of being the leader of an amazing organization that is making a difference in the world, but more important than that, making a difference in the lives of people.

I’m a total believer that impacting the lives of people creates greater human potential. Because when people who are like-minded come together, like The Salvation Army, great things happen. And when you are doing so in faith and with trust in God, with guidance, inspiration, enlightenment, vision, all of those ingredients that are so, so important, great things can happen.

Photos courtesy of Peace Corps