Kimberly Iannelli

About Kimberly Iannelli

International nonprofit leader with 20+ years of experience designing, scaling, and evaluating multi-country programs that mobilize volunteers, equip local partners, and deliver measurable impact.Currently serve as Director of Global Programs for Samaritan’s Purse/Operation Christmas Child, leading strategy, standards, and evaluation for programs operating in 110+ countries. I lead a matrixed team of 10 program staff, multiplying best practices through 60+ field-focused leaders who, in turn, equip volunteers and partners serving 10 million+ children annually.Strengths:Program strategy and lifecycle management (pilot → scale) • Outcome measurement and evaluation • Safeguarding • Cross-functional collaboration with colleagues in Finance, Compliance, Development, and ITI’m passionate about connecting vision to execution: building collaborative teams, strengthening systems, and telling the story of impact that moves people to action. My work is grounded in curiosity, cultural respect, and a deep commitment to seeing people and communities thrive.I believe lasting impact happens when people are equipped and inspired to serve others—and when leadership is grounded in integrity, collaboration, and compassion.Skilled in designing and leading global program strategies that drive measurable impact through collaboration, innovation, and accountability. Experienced in aligning vision with execution across complex networks—integrating strategy, evaluation, and safeguarding practices to ensure sustainable results. Strengths include program design and scale, volunteer engagement and mobilization, impact measurement, cross-sector partnerships, and team development. Recognized for building strong systems, nurturing high-performing teams, and advancing organizational excellence through data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement.

Experience

1. Director, Global Programs

   Samaritan's Purse

   Jan 2024 — Present · Boone, NC, US

   Lead global strategy, program design, implementation, and evaluation for Operation Christmas Child initiatives serving more than 10 million children annually in 110+ countries. Guide a matrixed team of 10 program staff who multiply global standards and best practices through 60+ field-focused leaders, equipping more than volunteers and partners each year.Serve as Operation Christmas Child’s Safeguarding Officer, embedding accountability and protection frameworks into all global operations. Collaborate cross-functionally with colleagues in Finance, Compliance, Development, and IT to strengthen systems, enhance accountability, and align strategies across departments.Key contributions:• Established a unified global framework for program standards, evaluation, and learning.• Strengthened safeguarding systems and training, ensuring global alignment and compliance.• Fostered collaboration and shared solutions among cross-functional teams, improving efficiency and impact.

Education

• Texas A&M University

  ABD

• Texas Agricultural Lifetime Leadership Program

  Class III

• Texas A&M University

  MPA

• The Washington Campus

  Summer MBA Intensive

• Texas A&M University

  MA

• Texas A&M University

  B.S.

Skills

• Executive Coaching
• Non-Profits
• Management
• Program Development
• Team Building
• International Relations
• Policy
• Research
• Workshop Facilitation
• Organizational Structure
• Teaching
• Board Training
• Proposal Writing
• Legislation
• Event Management
• Event Planning
• Public Policy
• Government
• Nonprofits
• Board Development
• Public Speaking
• Preaching
• Editing
• Executive Management
• Teaching English as a Second Language
• Strategic Communications
• Policy Analysis
• Grants
• Organizational Leadership
• University Teaching
• Grant Writing
• Leadership
• Community Outreach
• Community Development
• Training
• Volunteer Management
• Organizational Development
• Strategic Planning
• Strategy
• Administration