After a decade of exceptional leadership as President and CEO of IREX, Kristin Lord has announced her intention to step down from her role on May 1, 2025. She will leave IREX in excellent organizational health and well positioned for continued growth and impact. 

"The leaders I respect most leave their organizations in a stronger position than when they arrived and ensure these organizations are set on a path for even greater success," said Kristin. “With outstanding senior leadership, a committed board, and a team that continues to deliver impactful programs, I am confident IREX is in the strongest possible shape for the future,” she added.  

“We have been extraordinarily fortunate to have had Kristin lead IREX for the past ten years,” said Ambassador David Gross, Chair of the IREX Board of Governors. “Her work has not only had a profound impact on every aspect of IREX, but her efforts have also made the world a better place for thousands of people in more than 100 countries. Kristin’s transformational work with the IREX team has gained global recognition from governments, NGOs, and most importantly from the people who have benefited from IREX’s new and innovative programs.” 

Over the past decade, Kristin's leadership at IREX has left an enduring mission-driven legacy of growth, innovation, and resilience. Her vision led IREX to become a leader in empowering youth, cultivating leaders, strengthening institutions, and extending access to quality education and information. Under her guidance, IREX expanded its global presence by establishing 15 new country offices and doubling the size of the organization’s staff around the world. Kristin’s focus on ensuring that quality metrics drive the impact of IREX’s mission led to significant investments in organizational monitoring, evaluation, and learning. She also spearheaded the establishment of IREX’s Center for Applied Learning and Impact and forged a strategic partnership with Development Gateway, a leader in the digital space.  

Kristin has been instrumental in expanding IREX's global impact. Her emphasis on trust-building in international development has significantly influenced global development practices. Her passion for ensuring that citizens, organizations, and governments have quality information to make informed decisions led to the expansion of IREX’s signature Learn to Discern program, now operating in 24 countries. Her prioritization of key regions led IREX to triple its programming in Jordan and significantly increase IREX’s work in East Africa and Central America.  

Her steadfast support for the Ukrainian people led to a substantial expansion in programming for youth, veterans, and internally displaced persons, and in response to the war, the creation of IREX’s Rapid Reaction Support Fund, which provided emergency relief and supported local journalists and news outlets to safely deliver factual information to citizens. Through global challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and work in conflict and transition zones, Kristin's commitment to innovation and adaptability has ensured IREX’s continued success and solidified its position as a leader in addressing pressing global challenges. 

Until her departure in May 2025, Kristin remains dedicated to IREX and will continue to make decisions in service of the organization’s mission of fostering just, prosperous, and inclusive societies.  

The IREX board has already formed a search committee and will commence a rigorous search for IREX’s next president and CEO shortly.