Esther Lee Stewart

Esther Lee Stewart serves as the Regional Operations Director for the Middle East and North Africa at the Danish Refugee Council since October 2022, managing operations across eight countries with an $85M budget and a workforce of 1,000. Previously, as Country Director for Ethiopia at the same organization from September 2018 to February 2021, Stewart oversaw a $53M portfolio and more than 300 staff. Stewart's earlier roles include progressive leadership positions at Mercy Corps, directing a $90M portfolio, and managing a public-private partnership at the World Food Programme for nutrition projects in Ethiopia. Experience also includes program direction at JaRco Consulting, focusing on monitoring and evaluation. Esther Lee Stewart holds a Master of Science in Development Studies from The London School of Economics and a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Theology from Wheaton College.