Kern Agard

About Kern Agard

I am a strategic nonprofit executive with over 10 years of experience leading complex, high-impact operations across Africa, the Caribbean, and the United States. My leadership has spanned country-level program delivery, organizational turnarounds, and strategic planning - managing portfolios exceeding $60M annually and securing over $1M in new grant funding to support sustainable, community-driven initiatives.In roles with ADRA and Mercy Ships, I’ve directed programs reaching over beneficiaries, strengthened internal systems, built national partnerships, and led teams across multiple countries. At ADRA Togo, I initiated a financial reform that cut operational costs by nearly 30% while enhancing internal controls and donor accountability. My work has included designing healthcare, agriculture, education, infrastructure, and capacity-building programs aligned with national priorities and local needs.I lead with vision, creativity, and collaboration to build strong teams, align stakeholders, and drive results that last beyond the life of a project. Whether guiding an organization through strategic repositioning, advising on governance, or negotiating with government partners, I bring an approach rooted in transparency, systems thinking, and long-term impact.I\'m open to opportunities and partnerships that align with my values of equity, stewardship, and purpose-driven leadership.

Experience

1. Country Director (Executive Director) Togo

   Adra International

   Jun 2021 — Present · Lomé, TG

   Led day-to-day operations for ADRA Togo, managing strategic direction, program execution, and external relations. Served as Secretary to the Board of Directors, supporting governance functions, ensuring policy compliance, and strengthening alignment between executive leadership.• Strategic Leadership: Led strategy and operations, driving a 150% increase in program funding and expanding sustainable projects that improved household income by 33% across individuals.• Strategic Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement: Built and managed high-level relationships with government entities, NGOs, and donors to co-design and evaluate projects aligned with national priorities, resulting in a 100% increase in active partnerships.• Resource Mobilization & Donor Relations: Secured over $1 million in new grant funding by expanding the donor base and cultivating strategic relationships with local and international partners, enhancing long-term program sustainability.• Financial Sustainability & Internal Control Reforms: Led a financial reform initiative that eliminated informal cash disbursements, streamlined budget structures, and introduced long-term procurement, which resulted in a 20% reduction in annual operating expenses, and significantly improved fiscal discipline, compliance, and long-term sustainability.• Safeguarding & Protection: Designed and implemented safeguarding systems into ADRA Togo’s programs and operations by embedding child protection, gender equality, and gender violence and trafficking prevention into policies, staff capacity development, procurement, and governance, aligning with international best practices and local laws.

Education

• Central High School of Philadelphia

  High School Degree (Bachelor of Arts), High School

  2001 — 2005

• University of Pittsburgh

  Bachelor of Arts, Media and Professional Communications

  2005 — 2009

• Andrews University

  Master of Science (MSA), Community and International Development

  2013 — 2015

Skills

• Newsletters
• Emergency Management
• Editing
• Community Outreach
• Community Development
• Creative Communication
• Copywriting
• Project Management
• Event Planning
• Advertising
• Research
• Fundraising
• Photography
• Volunteer Management
• Writing
• Microsoft Word
• Public Relations
• Microsoft Powerpoint
• Press Releases
• Nonprofit Organizations
• Social Media
• International Development
• Microsoft Office
• Public Speaking
• Needs Assessment
• Grant Writing
• Event Management
• Government
• Nonprofits
• Program Development
• Communication
• Program Evaluation
• Project Planning
• Powerpoint
• Microsoft Excel