About
Driven by Collaboration & Impact
I'm a global development and operations leader with 15+ years of experience scaling organizational strategy, impact, and systems-strengthening initiatives across Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and the U.S.
I enjoy investing my time on strategy and execution, helping translate big-picture missions into systems that work on the ground. I’ve built and led multi-country teams, launched regional delivery hubs, and helped organizations move from pilot projects to sustainable, locally led operations. Core to this work is forming partnerships with governments, small business, large corporations, NGOs, and funders to deliver projects that strengthen local systems and improve quality of life. My work includes extensive experience in the healthcare, education and infrastructure sectors with specializations in master planning, implementation and stakeholder coordination.
What drives me most is capacity building — developing systems and teams who will help sustain vibrant communities. Whether it’s establishing a new infrastructure hub, training a local technical workforce, or creating a revenue-supported operational model, my goal is the same: scalable systems, shared ownership, and longevity.
"Life becomes more meaningful when you work for your fellow beings." - Dadu, Founder of Hospital for Hope - Jharkhand, India
Global Operations & Systems Design
Translating mission into operating models, team charters, capabilities, and KPIs
Change Strategy & Impact Assessment
Understanding and measuring change impacts - what, who & extent. Assessing - risks, barriers, readiness, and equity implications.
Cross-Functional Team Leadership
Building high-performing teams aligned with strategy and priorities to spur innovation and collaboration
Program Delivery
Leading end-to-end lifecycle of planning, designing, financing, building, operating and monitoring of initiatives that enable societies, organizations, or programs to function.
Signature Achievement Project: Organizational Restructure
*development of the CfC matrixed operating model
*design Charrette with CfC Partners - Minneapolis, MN
Drove a complex organizational restructuring that established global hub operations, diversified funding, and positioned the organization for long-term, self-sustaining growth.
Timeline: 3 Years 2015 - 2018
I led the organizational transformation of an early-stage nonprofit transitioning from a volunteer-run, donor-dependent model into a diversified and globally operating enterprise. I designed a balanced funding strategy that combined institutional support with a revenue-recovery approach, significantly strengthening financial sustainability.
To support scaled delivery, I built localized teams and operational hubs across Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and the U.S., connected through a matrixed management framework that improved performance and regional agility. This transformation expanded program delivery by 200% and introduced a fee-based revenue stream that now covers 125% of operational costs, enabling sustainable growth and long-term impact.
Signature Founding Project: Steamboat Social Club
Founder
Partners: Routt County Economic Development Council and over 30 local businesses and nonprofits
Investment: $300k | Timeline: 3 years (2022 - 2025)
After years invested partnering with global communities, I wanted to experience the challenge and creativity of launching a small business rooted in the same principles of local connection and shared purpose that guided my international development work. That motivation led me to found the Steamboat Social Club—a community-centered space designed to spark creativity, strengthen belonging, and bring people together across backgrounds. I shaped the venture’s strategy, programming, partnerships, and operating model, translating global lessons about community-building into a local, sustainable social enterprise. Through curated events, workshops, and experiences, the club grew into a trusted hub for connection and creative expression within Steamboat Springs.
Signature Stakeholder Project: COVID-19 Rapid Response Center
*Completed Infectious Disease & COVID-19 Treatment Center - Kara, Togo 2022
Coalition-Led Rural COVID-19 Treatment Prototype
Partners: Construction for Change, Design 4 Others, Adaptiv, Integrate Health, L’Eau Pour Le Togo, MOH Togo
Timeline: 4 months
During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, I co-led a global coalition of architects, engineers, health specialists, and nonprofit partners to rapidly design and operationalize a rural COVID-19 treatment center model capable of functioning in severely under-resourced communities. Building on best-practice guidance for patient flow, staff safety, infection control, supply chain, testing, waste management, and operational logistics, I coordinated with the partners a multidisciplinary design process to create a prototype that required minimal power, water, and financial resources while maintaining clinical integrity.
Working in partnership with the Ministry of Health in Togo, I supported the implementation of the first prototype in Kara—an area lacking adequate treatment facilities and serving as the population center for the nation’s northern region. This installation became the country’s first purpose-built rural COVID-19 Response Unit, demonstrating a replicable, systems-aligned model for emergency health infrastructure and informing national planning for future outbreaks.
Signature Programmatic Project: ESHS Redevelopement
ESHS post storm damage assessment
New High School Campus Master Plan
Aerial view of destruction
Groundbreaking Ceremony for the ESHS Redevelopment
Elmore Stout High School (ESHS) Redevelopment – Strategic Leadership & Multi-Stakeholder Coordination
Partners: Construction for Change, BVI Recovery and Development Agency, HDR Inc, Expedia Group, BVI Ministry of Education
Budget: $15M USD Timeline: 17 months
Elmore Stout High School (ESHS) is the only public secondary institution on Tortola and a critical anchor for the territory’s youth. Following the extensive damage caused by Hurricanes Irma and Maria, the campus was deemed inoperable, prompting the Prime Minister to designate its redevelopment as the government’s highest national infrastructure priority.
The BVI Recovery & Development Agency engaged Construction for Change to lead the full campus redevelopment strategy. In my role, I mobilized cross-sector partnerships to resource and accelerate the effort—bringing in Expedia Group as a major philanthropic partner and securing HDR as a pro bono technical design advisor. These partnerships expanded the project’s capabilities, reduced costs, and strengthened community alignment.
My scope centered on orchestrating the full planning and decision-making framework for the seven-acre campus. This included steering a multidisciplinary team through the development of an Options Study, an integrated Master Plan, and a robust Business Case to guide long-term investment and operational sustainability. I also oversaw the creation of detailed implementation and procurement strategies for Phase 1, ensuring the project could move from vision to execution with clarity and accountability.
Portfolio Highlights: Visual Showcase
*Hetauda House - earthquake resilient safe housing - Nepal
*Optimize Health Hospital Crew Members - Madhya Pradesh, India
*Supporting Hetauda Community Members - Nepal
*STEP School - before and after - Kampong Cham, Cambodia
*Dearborn Park, Elementary School Renovation — Seattle, WA
*iKure Advanced Health Center - Kalkata, India
*Flying Kites Academy Development - Njabini, Kenya
These moments capture the essence of my professional journey— from architecting scalable systems and leading organizations through periods of rapid growth, crisis response, and strategic transition. I've guided startups, nonprofits, governments, and global coalitions in standing up new operating models, funding structures, and multi-region delivery platforms that accelerate impact. Each image represents a chapter in my commitment to working for my fellow beings.
Contact & Connect
I'm open to discussing new opportunities, collaborative projects, or simply connecting with fellow professionals who share a passion for global development work, innovation and impact.
Email
timhickory@gmail.com
Phone
+1 (206) 370-3010
LinkedIn
linkedin.com/in/timhickory
Portfolio Website
www.thickory.com
Thank you for taking the time to learn about my professional journey. I look forward to the possibility of contributing to the meaningful work of your organization and finding opportunities to create a healthy and equitable world.
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