Caitlyn McElroy, MPA

Președinte

Caitlyn is a respected strategic international development and operations leader with more than 15 years of experience designing and implementing meaningful and impactful international programs in child protection, health, and education across Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Southeast Asia. Defined by a simple but powerful belief: every child deserves to grow up in a safe, loving family, her passion and conviction have taken her across three continents, building systems, forging partnerships, and advancing policies. She is a leader with a rare combination of on-the-ground experience and high-level strategic vision, one who understands both the complexity of global child welfare and the human stories at its center.

As President of CERI, she is bringing its Vision 2030 to fruition by working to triple beneficiary reach, expanding operations into new countries, and growing annual fundraising. Her mission is to increase government partnerships to advance national care reform, strengthen foster and kinship care systems, and ensure children with disabilities are fully included in CERI’s work; furthering the truth that family is the most powerful force for protecting childhood in every community CERI serves.

Cum a început:  

Prior to joining CERI, she was a Foreign Service Officer with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). She most recently served as the Deputy Director of the Education and Health Development Office at USAID/Honduras supporting the implementation and management of a $115 million portfolio comprised of 17 projects. She also served as USAID’s Children in Adversity and Education Advisor in Cambodia, leading the U.S. Government’s Advancing Protection and Care for Children in Adversity strategy in Cambodia across agencies. Caitlyn has also worked with nonprofit organizations overseas and served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Philippines. In addition to her international experience, Caitlyn has held multiple positions in Washington, D.C., demonstrating an ability to effect change alongside government policymakers and elected officials.

De ce CERI? 

Her career started, and has always been guided, by her passion and commitment to contribute to making the world a better place for all children. This has led her to work on child protection, education, health, and youth programs to increase efficiency and improve programmatic impact in more than 10 countries over the last 15 years. It is that same passion and commitment that first led her to join CERI as Vice President of Operations in 2025.

Ce înseamnă protejarea copilăriei: 

Protecting childhood means creating a world in which all children not only survive, but can thrive and reach their full potential in safe and nurturing family care.