Amy Bernath

Amy Bernath

Director, Education
Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe & Eurasia, Middle East & North Africa, Georgia, Education

As director of the Education Practice, Amy leads IREX’s strategy and learning agenda for expanding access to quality education globally. She manages a portfolio of education development programs in Africa, the Middle East, Europe and Eurasia, and Central America with a team of more than 80 staff in nine countries. She also contributes to youth development programs and represents IREX as a member of the Basic Education Coalition Board of Directors.

Amy brings more than 15 years of experience managing complex international education programs and delivering greater impact by learning and adapting based on data and evidence. She previously led IREX’s office in Tajikistan, managed teacher training and youth development programs in the Republic of Georgia and the Kyrgyz Republic, and supported implementation of the Edmund S. Muskie Graduate Fellowship. Under Amy’s leadership, Youth Theater for Peace strengthened two local partner organizations and formed 33 youth-led informal groups, reaching more than 30,000 youth and adults.

Prior to joining IREX, Amy worked as a Peace Corps Volunteer teaching English at Berdyansk State Pedagogical University in Ukraine. She also taught English in Cape Coast, Ghana and is a past cochair of the Youth in Development Workgroup of the Society for International Development Washington Chapter (SID-Washington).

Amy earned an MA in Political Science with a focus on international relations from Ohio University. She holds a BA in political science and a BS in integrated social studies education.