IREX Names Aleksander Dardeli as New President and CEO

The IREX Board of Trustees has appointed Aleksander (Alex) Dardeli as the organization’s new President and Chief Executive Officer, effective September 1, 2025. With over 25 years of experience in international development and leadership roles across major organizations, Dardeli brings both strategic vision and operational expertise to advance IREX’s global mission.

Leadership Transition at IREX

Dardeli succeeds Acting CEO Kate Thompson and will work closely with the Board of Trustees to strengthen IREX’s role in education, governance, and institutional development worldwide. Board Chairman David A. Gross emphasized Dardeli’s ability to “build strong partnerships and navigate complexity” as vital for leading IREX in a rapidly evolving global landscape.

A Return to IREX

Dardeli is no stranger to IREX, having previously served as Executive Vice President, where he expanded the organization’s global footprint, championed innovation, and oversaw the acquisition of Development Gateway. Most recently, he was Chief Operating Officer at Save the Children, where he led strategic planning, transformation, and performance initiatives.

Driving International Development

Throughout his career, Dardeli has focused on education, leadership development, governance reform, and institution strengthening. His work has spanned the U.S., emerging economies, and post-conflict regions. Notably, he spearheaded a major initiative in Kosovo to prepare state institutions for independence, underscoring his ability to operate in high-stakes environments.

A Global Vision for IREX

In his remarks, Dardeli praised IREX’s “rich legacy of transforming education systems, bringing people together to solve problems, and supporting leaders across sectors.” He outlined his vision of expanding opportunities, shaping innovative solutions, and achieving lasting results for communities in the U.S. and abroad. His leadership is expected to strengthen IREX’s role as a trusted global partner in international development.