Dr. Laura Horvath, Ed. D

Senior Technical Advisor for Global Programs:

Laura has a proven track record in improving program planning and project management by supporting and building in-country capacity with their leadership and program staff. Laura joined the Helping Children Worldwide staff in November 2014, and was an active volunteer with Helping Children Worldwide for more than ten years before that time, serving on and leading the Education Committee, serving as the Vice Chair and then Chairperson of the Child Rescue Centre Program Team, and leading multiple Volunteers in Mission teams to Sierra Leone. 

Effectively created and supported sustainable child welfare and development programs, led by in-country leadership in West Africa including implementing program metrics and audit mechanisms to ensure program compliance. Extensive collaboration between development programs and donor-base as well as critical constituents to ensure programs met need, improved lives, and can be replicable for vulnerable populations. Proven track record in improving program planning and project management based in research and best practice. Veteran in international development, education and teacher training, program and curriculum design and implementation, advocacy, and assistance to vulnerable populations. Expert communication and writing skills in reporting, research, and grants. Extensive experience working internationally at the grassroots level and rapidly learning cultural values. Highly effective at team-building and collaboration across cultures and various stakeholders. Demonstrated success creating programs and projects in relationship with local actors that are effective, impactful, and necessary in the community they are intended.

In 2018, Dr. Horvath was able to assist in leading transition of the last remaining children in the residential program into the care of safe and loving families. This opportunity not only leveraged knowledge from her doctorate work for her Ed.D., but also allowed her to exercise skills in non-profit management and leadership. Dr. Horvath is a published author with expertise and experience in writing for academic and other audiences and in 1993 she won The NCTE Paul and Kate Farmer Writing Award. She has a passion and interest in work that seeks to support orphans and vulnerable children in alignment with the United Nations Conventions on the Rights of the Child.

Prior to officially joining the HCW team, she taught in the graduate schools of education at George Mason and George Washington Universities.  ​Laura holds a masters degree in English Education, and a doctorate in curriculum and instruction, and brings to her role an in-depth knowledge of education, and a deep passion for global child welfare, the care of orphans and vulnerable children, public health, ethical missions, and sustainable community-led development programs. In addition to her work co-developing workshop curriculum, SOPs and other resources with her CRC colleagues, she’s a co-host on HCW’s Optimistic Voices podcast, and loves to write articles and speak on the topics of child welfare, transitioning the model of care for orphans and vulnerable children, and sustainable development practices.  Laura shares her publications and social media posts through HCW and “Bridging Solutions” where she takes the skill she has honed in a lifetime of public service to the next level as a professional consultant. She and her husband, David, are members of New Creations United Methodist Church and have three children.