News: Chemonics Strengthens Expertise to Meet Rising Global Challenges with New Board Appointments

Today’s evolving and complex global challenges require vast technical expertise and leadership. Chemonics is proud to welcome three new individuals to its Board of Directors to help us advance and scale our impact: Archie Jones, Gunjan Bhow, and Mani Janakiram. They will bring additional expertise in finance, mergers and acquisitions, data and technology, and digital transformation to the board and Chemonics.

Chemonics elected its new board members on July 11, 2023. Currently, the 11-person board is comprised of corporate executives and leaders from Chemonics’ global project offices, as well as external organizations and industries to promote accountability, leadership, innovation, and diversity efforts throughout the company.

“We know that our strength as a leading global sustainable development partner is rooted in our people,” said President and CEO Jamey Butcher. “I am excited about where we are heading as a company and know that our new board members are the right leaders to help us continue achieving exponential positive change around the world.”

Drawing from an extensive background in finance, private equity, and mergers and acquisitions, Archie Jones brings a unique blend of expertise and ability to scale operations and drive results across varied industries to the board. A proven leader and mentor, Mr. Jones is also an entrepreneurial management and finance professor at Harvard Business School and has substantial board experience, including at Year Up, which focuses on empowering young adults to reach their potential. He is passionate about taking skills from the venture capital world and bringing them in to drive sustainable development and tackle complex global challenges head on. “I am thrilled to join Chemonics’ Board of Directors and be part of an organization recognized for its commitment to transforming lives and driving sustainable development,” Mr. Jones said. “I look forward to contributing my expertise to amplify Chemonics’ ability to make a meaningful difference in the communities we serve.”

To further diversify the board’s breadth of knowledge, Chemonics welcomes Gunjan Bhow who has more than 25 years of experience in media, investments, and customer-led digital experiences at Disney, Amazon, and Microsoft. Committed to excellence and scaling innovations, Mr. Bhow will draw upon his expertise launching new products from concept to market, his experience serving on boards for other mission-driven organizations, and a career working in digital technology and technology transformation, to Chemonics. “I look forward to collaborating with fellow board members and the exceptional team at Chemonics to develop innovative solutions and embrace emerging opportunities by leveraging Chemonics’ data and technology to strengthen our collective impact worldwide,” Mr. Bhow said.

Finally, Chemonics welcomes Mani Janakiram to its Board of Directors and to the board of its subsidiary, Connexi. A senior executive and technologist, with 23 years at Intel, Dr. Janakiram brings extensive experience working with data analytics, manufacturing supply chains, and IT integration to Chemonics’ board. A Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt, Dr. Janakiram currently works in Intel’s Global Supply Chain. In this role, he provides vision and leadership insights to strategically plan and deliver key solutions to customers that enable growth, efficiency, and effectiveness. He also serves as adjunct professor in Supply Chain at Arizona State University and is an honorary advisor for Miami Dade College AI Committee. “I am excited to contribute my data, analytics, and supply chain experience to advance Chemonics’ mission and develop solutions to foster growth and innovation,” Dr. Janakiram said.

“I know there is a bright future ahead for Chemonics with Archie, Gunjan, and Mani joining our Board of Directors,” said Chemonics Board Chair Susanna Mudge. “They each bring a unique set of skills and knowledge that better position us to meet the complex challenges of today and tomorrow.”

Bisrat Aklilu and Steve Nikrant stepped down from the board following the completion of their terms. Chemonics extends its gratitude for their exceptional contributions and leadership during an important phase of Chemonics’ growth.