I served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Russia (postings in Rostov-on-Don and Nizhny Novgorod) in 1994-96. I subsequently worked in Peace Corps HQ (2003-2011) in the Office of Inspector General. I visited about half (35) of the Peace Corps' countries to review their operations and the volunteers' projects, and I met hundreds of staff and volunteers. I also worked at the National Endowment for the Arts, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and USAID, and previously at Ernst & Young, Deloitte, Pathe Films, and Levi Strauss.

I've been a member of the Explorers Club since 1994, having been invited by mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary, whom I met in the Himalayas. I 've authored a dozen books on parts of the world, the latest on India, Rwanda, Botswana, and Australia. You can find them by searching "Steve Kaffen," and clicking on amazon.com.

I live at Dupont Circle in Washington D.C, and have also lived in SF, LA, Baltimore, and New York City (where I was born).

I have attended most World Cups since 1986, combining visiting the country and attending soccer matches. The last three, in Russia, Brazil, and South Africa, are my favorites to-date, and I have tickets to the WC in Qatar in November 2022. In 1994, before leaving for the Peace Corps, I wrote the USA 1994 World Cup's procedures and served as the Rose Bowl's finance manager. 

I am a long-time member of the National Peace Corps Association

I'm always available for coffee and sharing interesting places and experiences.