On September 3, 2024, Benjamin (Ben) Feit became President and CEO of Panagora Group, a woman- and employee-owned social enterprise that works to solve global health and other development problems. Betsy Bassan, who has served as CEO since she founded the company in 2011, will stay on as Chair of the Board of Directors and President Emeritus. They will work closely together to continue Panagora’s growth, foster its culture of ownership and inclusion, and support its global workforce to continue to provide high-quality, high-impact technical assistance.
Panagora is a proven leader in implementing effective, innovative initiatives that improve global health and foster development and learning through locally-led approaches. Ben’s appointment follows an extensive search for a leader with the vision, experience, and skills to continue to lead the company in achieving its mission of making our world a better place for good. “Ben is the perfect fit for Panagora. He is growth-minded, dynamic, and committed to our principles of localization, innovation, DEI, empowerment, and employee ownership,” said Betsy. “I look forward to seeing Panagora continue to grow under his leadership, and to our workforce continuing to thrive and create a lasting impact worldwide.”
Ben is a passionate and inspiring executive leader with over 30 years of experience, who has gained a reputation as a thought leader committed to sustainable local solutions. He first joined Panagora Group as Chief Operating Officer in February 2024. During his tenure, he helped drive Panagora’s continued growth and impact, co-leading strategic planning with Betsy, cultivating partnerships, and fostering innovation and learning.
Prior to joining Panagora, he served as Chief Growth Officer for Creative Associates International and in leadership positions at DAI, CARE US, and Deloitte. He also brings a wealth of field experience and a keen understanding of how to ensure effective development assistance. Ben has worked in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where he served as USAID’s governance advisor supporting post-war reconciliation; in Romania and Niger, where he managed and implemented multi-year democracy, rights, and governance projects; and in South Africa, where he supported provincial governments in the more equitable delivery of health and education sector infrastructure. He is also a committed educator who has served as Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service since 2010, teaching graduate-level classes on development aid management, state institution building, and locally led development. He holds an MA in International Affairs from the Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs and a BA in History from Tulane University.
“I have long admired Panagora for being a leader in providing cutting-edge solutions that advance global health security, programmatic learning and adapting, and localized management and delivery. Since joining Panagora last February, I have also come to admire its empowering employee ownership culture and inspiring team of dedicated development professionals,” Ben remarked. “I am excited to work with Betsy and our passionate teams around the world to advance our mission of making our world a better place for good.”