Betsy Bassan

Betsy Bassan serves as the President and CEO, celebrated for her significant contributions to international development. She has received numerous accolades, including the Alumni Award of Merit from St. John’s College and the 2021 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year for the Mid-Atlantic region. Bassan was also named a 2020 Enterprising Woman of the Year. With decades of hands-on experience across Africa, Asia, Europe, Eurasia, and the Middle East, her expertise spans global health, private sector development, environment, democracy, governance, and organizational development. Previously, she held various executive roles, notably as a senior vice president at Chemonics where she established a new health practice. She played a pivotal role in transforming the Small Business Association for International Companies (SBAIC) from an informal network into a formally recognized advocacy group. Additionally, Bassan served as Program Vice President and Chair of the Society for International Development-Washington D.C. Her international experience is further enriched by a seven-year tenure in Kenya and Sudan, working with NGOs and USAID missions. Bassan holds an M.A. from Columbia University, where she completed a joint degree program in the School of International Affairs and the Division of Urban Planning. She is fluent in French and is a mother to three children: Madeleine, Rebecca, and Ben.