John Brian Atwood (born 25 July 1942) is an American diplomat and former Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development.

From 1979 to 1981 as a presidential appointee, he was Assistant Secretary of State for Congressional Relations during the Carter administration, and also served in the Foreign Service Institute as dean of Professional Studies and Academic Affairs.

He was elected unanimously by the 24 member states to chair the committee responsible for coordinating the activities of the bilateral donors.

He led diplomatic efforts to create a new Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation endorsed by 160 nations, civil society and the private sector.

He oversaw the restructuring of the committee, gained consensus for its new policy on engagement with non-members, opened relationships with the emerging economies, advised governments and the OECD Secretary General on a Strategy for Development adopted at OECD ministerial, presided over DAC ministerial and senior-level meetings, and gained consensus agreement on a program of work and budget for the 2013-14 period.