Elizabeth Ellis

Lizz was recently appointed to CEO in January 2019, after 5 years as COO during which time she led the global team to growth through strong management, business development leadership, and a commitment to financial integrity. “iDE brings the best in development, combining impact and value for money with an entrepreneurial approach that empowers the rural poor.” A seasoned expert in gender, monitoring and evaluation, finance, and economic growth, Lizz has over 20 years of experience with designing solutions for challenging markets in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Lizz speaks French and Moroccan Arabic, and has a working knowledge of Spanish. Lizz has traveled and worked in more than 22 countries. She specializes in leading innovative multi-cultural teams to financial growth and impact effectiveness. She holds a master’s degree with a specialization in international non-profit management from Rutgers University and a BA in History and Global Development Studies from Grinnell College, served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Morocco, and has been consistently recognized for her passionate commitment to developing those she works with. In addition to leading operations at iDE, she serves as Vice Chair on the Board of Directors for the Posner Center for International Development and on the Hydrologic Social Enterprise and iDE UK Board of Trustees.