June 7, 2022 (WASHINGTON) – The Modernizing Foreign Assistance Network (MFAN) is pleased to announce the appointment of Tod Preston as its new Policy Director, effective June 1.
“As someone who has worked with Tod in the foreign assistance and development space for more than 15 years, I am especially thrilled that he has accepted our invitation to join MFAN,” said Larry Nowels, MFAN Co-Chair. “Tod’s high energy, intellect, and credibility promise to make him a highly-regarded representative of our issues among leading U.S. policymakers.”
MFAN is a bipartisan coalition of international development practitioners, development institutions, think tanks, and the private sector which advocates for more effective U.S. foreign assistance. Last fall MFAN announced its reorganization as a revitalized, member-funded advocacy organization. As Policy Director, Preston will lead efforts of to advance MFAN’s priorities through legislation and agency strategies.
“With a strong and diverse group of prior and new members, MFAN is extremely pleased to expand our effectiveness work under Tod’s leadership,” said Tessie San Martin, MFAN Co-Chair and Chief Executive Officer of FHI 360. “His know-how about our issues, as well as the workings of Capitol Hill and federal agencies, will enable us to expand our impact among foreign assistance leaders.”
“I’ve followed MFAN since its inception in 2008 and seen the impact it’s had in advancing policies that strengthen the effectiveness of U.S. foreign assistance. MFAN’s track record and the expertise and commitment of its members are impressive. At a time of acute demands on international development and humanitarian relief efforts, I’m honored to join the coalition and excited to help advance its important mission,” said Preston.
Preston joins MFAN from the former Finsbury Glover Hering (now FGS Global), where he served as Managing Director for the past seven years. He previously worked for the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition and Population Action International and has held a number of senior positions within the U.S. government, including with Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY), former Chairwoman of the House Appropriations Committee. During his three decades of experience, Preston has developed and implemented advocacy strategies for non-profit and corporate clients and been a strong advocate for foreign assistance. Notably, he led efforts to avert budget cuts to U.S. foreign assistance following the financial crisis of 2008 and the Tea Party wave election in 2010.
“Since our reorganization last year, MFAN has continued to benefit from countless hours of policy work led by its members, and we are grateful to them for carrying us through this transition,” said Lester Munson, Co-Chair of MFAN and Principal at the BGR Group. “We are also appreciative of Lori Rowley who served as our Interim Executive Director last year. Our members have brought MFAN to a great launching point for Tod’s new leadership, and it is our pleasure to welcome him to MFAN,”
For more information or interviews, please contact:
Maria Holsopple, Senior Manager, Corporate Communications
Mobile: 540-383-3628 Email: maria.holsopple@planusa.org
About MFAN
MFAN is a diverse coalition composed of international development practitioners, development institutions, think tanks, and the private sector that advocates for more effective U.S. foreign assistance. MFAN was created to build upon the bipartisan consensus that the U.S. should play a global leadership role to support effective U.S. development cooperation in achieving economic growth, more resilient societies, poverty reduction, and promoting locally led development and democratic approaches, and that the U.S. can play that role more effectively, efficiently, and transparently. To learn more about MFAN, please visit: www.modernizeaid.net.
