Joel Bacha

Joel Bacha has extensive experience in the field of education and program management. Joel has worked with various organizations, including Room to Read, UNICEF, UNESCO, Save the Children USA, and educational boards in Japan. Joel's roles have included senior director, program operations, director of international strategy, Southeast Asia program manager for literacy, and education consultant. Joel has managed projects, developed strategic plans, coordinated technical support, facilitated collaborations, and conducted research in the areas of early grades literacy, girls' education, sustainable development, and teacher education. Joel's work has made a significant impact on increasing access to education and improving literacy rates in diverse contexts throughout Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.

Joel Bacha has a diverse education history. From 1992 to 1997, they attended UC San Diego where they earned a BS in Bioengineering with a minor in Anthropology. In 1995, they also participated in the UC Education Abroad Program at Monash University, focusing on Physiology, Chemistry, and Maths. Later, they pursued an MA (dual) degree in International Policy (Educational Development) and TESOL from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey from 2002 to 2004.