Catherine Kannam

Catherine Kannam is Chemonics’ chief operating officer. Prior to this role, she was the senior vice president (SVP) for Chemonics’ Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and Afghanistan region as well as the SVP for Chemonics’ Gender, Equality, and Social Inclusion and Peace, Stability and Transition technical practices. She also oversaw their unit focused on Office of Transitions Unit programming. She managed a portfolio focused on stabilization, service delivery, democracy and governance and economic growth in fragile states.

Catherine brings years of experience in stabilization, local economic development, municipal governance, and gender equality and social inclusion. She serves as a member of the executive council on diversity and inclusion and as co-executive sponsor of “ChemTea,” their employee resource group that is committed to supporting, connecting, and promoting Asian and Pacific Islander (API) talent at Chemonics. She joined Chemonics in 2010 and has extensive experience in Asia and the Middle East, serving on senior roles on multiple large USAID projects and helping lead their crisis efforts in Afghanistan.

While at the International Foundation for Electoral Systems, Catherine focused on Afghanistan election programming. She began her international development career in New Delhi, India. Catherine holds a master’s degree in South Asia studies and international economics from Johns Hopkins University, SAIS and a bachelor’s degree from the College of Social Studies at Wesleyan University.