John Engels

John Engels is an international development expert with experience in food security, health, humanitarian programming, community stabilization and education. As a Lead Technical Writer, he is responsible for communicating CNFA’s technical expertise in response to donor and private-sector solicitations.

Engels has supported business development activities throughout his career, including writing, editing and collaborating with technical experts to translate ideas and evidence into winning solutions. Most recently, Engels served as Director of Advocacy, Communications, and Knowledge Management for a Gates Foundation-funded newborn health program where he helped the project prioritize and plan advocacy activities, document results, organize knowledge-sharing and press events, and share learning through traditional and social media. Prior to this, he was Director of Communications at International Relief & Development (IRD).

Engels began his international development career with Peace Corps, serving as an English teacher in Kenya secondary schools, and afterward as a Fulbright professor teaching literature at the University of Burundi. He has also worked for various nonprofits, including AED, FHI, and Save the Children. He holds a B.A. in American Studies from St. Michael’s College and an M.A. in English from the University of Alabama.