News: Chemonics Taps Trusted Knowledge and External Expertise with New Board Appointments

Chemonics is proud to welcome three new members to its Board of Directors to help the organization advance and scale its impact: Catherine Kannam, Deogratius (Deo) Kimera, and Lori Jordan. 

Currently, executives and leaders from Chemonics’ global project offices, as well as external organizations and industries comprise the 11-person board to promote accountability, leadership, innovation, and diversity efforts throughout the company. 

 “As we approach nearly 50 years of creating meaningful change around the world through our work as a leading sustainable development company, I am excited to welcome Catherine, Deo, and Lori to our board,” said President and CEO Jamey Butcher. “Their diverse expertise and innovative perspectives will be instrumental in driving our mission forward and creating a more equitable and sustainable future.” 

Drawing from her years of experience in the global sustainable development space as well as her deep institutional knowledge of Chemonics, Catherine Kannam, Chemonics’ chief operating officer (COO), joins the Chemonics Board of Directors. As COO, Catherine drives operational excellence to ensure global teams can deliver on their promises to clients and communities. Prior to her role as COO, she was the senior vice president (SVP) for Chemonics’ Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and Afghanistan region as well as the SVP for Chemonics’ Gender, Equality, and Social Inclusion and Peace, Stability and Transition technical practices. Catherine’s diverse expertise in stabilization, municipal governance, and gender equality as well as her leadership skills will be a key asset for the Board of Directors as Chemonics enters its next era as a leading global sustainable development firm. 

Further drawing upon the extraordinary depth of industry and project expertise found among Chemonics’ employees, the Board of Directors welcomes Deogratius (Deo) Kimera, who is currently serving as the Zambia country director for the USAID Global Health Supply Chain Program – Procurement and Supply Management. He has 25 years of international experience in health systems strengthening, including 17 years leading USAID health supply chain projects as country director in Zambia, Ghana, Tanzania, and Botswana. Deo has worked in health supply chain management in Uganda and played a pivotal role in the setup of U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) by supporting the HIV logistics systems in Nigeria under the Global HIV/AIDS Initiative Nigeria project. Deo’s knowledge of health commodities supply chain management brings a unique perspective to the Board of Directors that will enable Chemonics to continue to bring life-saving health supplies to those in need.

Chemonics also welcomes Lori Jordan, who brings more than 30 years of experience in corporate strategy, product planning, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), strategic partnerships, and long-range planning. She has held positions at BCG, Microsoft, and Amazon, among other industry-leading enterprises. Lori has built a strong record within large enterprises and startups of generating ideas and taking them from conception to early revenue and has been a successful venture and private equity-backed serial entrepreneur. She holds an undergraduate degree in economics from Duke University and earned an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. Lori’s external perspectives and range of experiences, including public company board service, will be assets for Chemonics’ strategies for growth. 

“I am delighted to welcome Catherine, Deo, and Lori to the Chemonics Board of Directors,” said Chemonics Board Chair Susanna Mudge. “They each possess incredible industry knowledge and business acumen that will be invaluable as Chemonics continues to grow, explore, and scale for impact.”