Eric Reading
Division Vice President, International Development, Abt Associates
Sessions: Bridging the Gap (Day 1, Afternoon)
Division Vice President, International Development, Abt Associates
Sessions: Bridging the Gap (Day 1, Afternoon)
- Eric Reading is the Division VP for International Development at Abt Associates. He brings to
this role over 25 years of experience working as a global development executive and social
scientist in all facets of international development. This interdisciplinary experience allows
him to lead more than 1,600 staff working on health, clean energy, governance, agriculture,
and economic development programs in 45 countries. His portfolio includes global thought
leadership programs in private sector health, clean energy finance, local health systems
strengthening, and malaria vector control.
Before joining Abt Associates in 2020, Eric was the Executive Vice President for Chemonics
International. He oversaw all aspects of global development business with USAID and DFID
(now FCDO), operations including project implementation, compliance and risk management,
while simultaneously leading digital transformation efforts. Eric also served on the Board of
Directors, chaired the Capital Structure Committee, and spearheaded initiatives on impact
investment and innovative finance for Chemonics. Prior to becoming the EVP, Eric managed Chemonics’ two largest regional divisions through periods of rapid growth. This responsibility
led him to work in more than 65 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and Eurasia, Latin America,
and the Middle East.
Widely recognized as a leader in the field of global development, Eric has served as a lecturer
or examiner at Georgetown University, Florida State University, the University of Kentucky,
Virginia Tech, and National Defense University. Eric was formerly a board member and the
treasurer of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition. He is also a frequent speaker on topics
ranging from food security to innovative finance to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
Eric is currently a PhD candidate in Governance and Globalization at Virginia Tech.