Nathan ByrdHead of Global Programs

Focusing on areas with the potential for high-impact sustainable solutions that can reach hundreds of millions of people, Nathan oversees the organisation’s portfolio in education, agriculture, health and digital financial services, including focusing on innovative and integrated delivery and promoting sustainable approaches to gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. In this role, Nathan works closely with the executive leadership team on strategic planning, portfolio management and coordination across the organisation’s global activities. He also works across the organisation and with external partners and donors to provide a clear vision, build commitment and establish technical processes to shape the organisation’s current and future work and ensure program alignment with client needs. Nathan also served as Head of Education Finance for Opportunity International from 2012 to 2017, where he was responsible for developing education-related financial tools for schools and families, forming strategic partnerships in the education sector, and expanding Opportunity’s four-country pilot program. Nathan has provided invaluable strategic direction and leadership for the Education Finance initiative, designing cross-border systems and structures and managing multinational field operations across developing countries.

Prior to joining Opportunity International, Nathan was Deputy Director of Operations for the International Rescue Committee in Kabul, Afghanistan, where he was responsible for a budget of $21.5 million and oversight of all functions, including human resources, financial planning, procurement, logistics, safety and security, field management and new product development.

Previously, Nathan served as vice president of Strategic Development at Covenant House, an organisation that helps 60,000 children around the world emerge from homelessness, abuse and trafficking through comprehensive services, including education. Nathan started his career as director of their Latin America operations.

Nathan holds a Master’s in global management from Thunderbird School of Global Management, an MBA from Indiana University and a Bachelor’s in Spanish and English from Saint Louis University. He currently resides in London.