Kent Ford

Kent Ford is a pioneering international development professional with over 25 years of experience in successfully leading and delivering a range of private sector-focused programs in emerging and developing markets. He has broad and proven strategic management and leadership experience as well as economic, political, and cultural understanding from having worked in nearly 60 countries. Mr. Ford is a two-time entrepreneur, most recently as co-founder and Managing Director of Global Development Solutions, where he directed the establishment, growth, and leadership of a global network of staff and consultants spanning four continents. He co-developed the integrated value chain and market systems analysis methodology used by the World Bank, ADB and sovereign governments to rigorously analyze market systems to determine areas where investment, access to finance and technical intervention would enhance the competitive position of entire market systems. He has designed and spearheaded innovative regional Trade and Investment initiatives by bringing together governments, private sector actors, NGOs, municipalities, and development agencies resulting in trade, investment, and market linkages. He has spent eight years leading in-country private sector development project teams in the West Bank/Gaza, Albania, Kosovo, Nigeria, and Uganda.