Caitlin Mc Nary
About Caitlin Mc Nary
Caitlin Mc Nary serves as the Senior Director of Program Management for Humanitarian Programs at Sesame Workshop, where she oversees the $100 million Play to Learn Grant aimed at enhancing Early Childhood Development in humanitarian contexts. With a strong background in program management and a focus on community-driven interventions, she has held various roles in organizations such as FHI 360 and International Medical Corps.
Current Role at Sesame Workshop
Caitlin Mc Nary serves as the Senior Director of Program Management for Humanitarian Programs at Sesame Workshop. In this role, she has been instrumental in overseeing the Play to Learn Grant, a $100 million initiative focused on promoting Early Childhood Development in humanitarian contexts. Since joining Sesame Workshop in 2019, she has coordinated a consortium of four organizations working across four countries. Her responsibilities include making key decisions regarding resource allocations and advising on strategic communications and partner and donor management.
Previous Experience at FHI 360
Prior to her current position, Caitlin Mc Nary worked as the Associate Director at FHI 360 from 2017 to 2019. During her two years in Washington, DC, she contributed to various humanitarian programs, leveraging her expertise in program management to enhance project outcomes.
Background in International Medical Corps
Caitlin Mc Nary has significant experience with the International Medical Corps, where she held multiple roles. She served as the Health and Nutrition Program Manager in Sana'a, Yemen, from 2016 to 2017, and as the Syria Response Desk Officer for the Middle East from 2013 to 2014 in Washington D.C. Metro Area. Additionally, she worked as a Health Program Manager in Erbil, Iraq, from 2014 to 2015. These roles provided her with valuable insights into health and nutrition in crisis situations.
Educational Background
Caitlin Mc Nary has a strong academic background. She earned her Bachelor's degree in History from Georgetown University, where she studied from 2002 to 2005. She furthered her education by obtaining a Master's degree in Middle East Studies from The American University in Cairo, studying from 2007 to 2011. Additionally, she attended the Middlebury Summer Language Institute, where she studied Modern Standard Arabic.
Contributions to Early Childhood Development
In her current role, Caitlin Mc Nary emphasizes the importance of need-based, evidence-supported interventions that incorporate community needs and culture into project design. Her leadership in the Play to Learn Grant reflects her commitment to enhancing early childhood development in humanitarian settings, ensuring that programs are tailored to the specific contexts in which they operate.