Degan Ali is a global humanitarian leader at the forefront of revolutionizing the aid system so those working on the ground have the money and power to best help their local communities. She is a sought-after speaker and innovator, translating groundbreaking ideas into action, such as pioneering the first large-scale cash transfer in 2003 in Somalia and leading the transition to global acceptance of cash assistance. Degan’s advocacy for funneling humanitarian funds to local actors helped spur the Grand Bargain 25% commitment. 

Degan is Executive Director of the African humanitarian and development organization Adeso, as well as co-founder of the first Global South civil society network for local and national humanitarian organizations, the Network for Empowered Aid Response (NEAR). 

She is a Rockefeller Foundation Global Fellow for Social Innovation and a contributor to the Overseas Development Institute/Humanitarian Policy Group and Global Food Security journal. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, Al Jazeera, and The Guardian. 

Degan holds an M.A. in international service from University of Roehampton and a B.A. from Trinity College. She lives in Kenya and works with organizations across the Global North and South.