David Barth

David Barth is the President & CEO of Perkins School for the Blind. With more than 25 years of leadership experience in complex international organizations, nonprofit management, and large-scale education programs designed to change lives, David has dedicated his career to bringing about social and economic progress at scale and across cultures.

David provides strategic leadership to advance the Perkins’ mission of helping children find their place in the world. He oversees innovation efforts and partnerships that expand access and opportunities for people with disabilities worldwide. As Perkins enters its third century of impact, David ensures that Perkins continues its legacy of leadership in education, accessibility, and inclusion.

Before joining Perkins, David served as Vice President of International Programs at Save the Children US, where he led all aspects of US-funded global programming, including strategy, program design, and partnerships. His team of 400 oversaw global programming in more than 50 countries across multiple disciplines, including a large and diverse education initiative.

Prior to Save the Children, David held multiple roles at the Ford Foundation. As the Director of Global Grants, he led the reform of the Foundation’s commitment to global impact. His earlier career includes two decades with USAID in senior leadership roles. As the Global Director for Education at USAID, he managed the world’s largest bilateral education fund, valued at over $1.2 billion.

David is recognized for his ability to bring people and organizations together around a shared vision, navigating complexity while keeping children and families at the center.

He has been recognized internationally with multiple awards for his work in the disability community, including the 2022 InterAction Disability Inclusion Award, honoring his team’s commitment to advancing disability inclusion in the US and globally.

David earned his bachelor’s degree in political science and international relations from Boston University and his J.D. from the National Law Center at George Washington University.