Save the Children Names New COO and CFO

Former Chemonics International CFO Eric Howell joins as Chief Operating Officer and former Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation executive Greg Ferrante joins as Chief Financial Officer

FAIRFIELD, Conn. (Mar. 9, 2020) — Save the Children U.S. announced today that Eric Howell will join the organization as chief operating officer and Greg Ferrante will join as chief financial officer. Howell’s appointment is effective today and Ferrante will take on the role effective April 6. They both will report directly to Janti Soeripto, Save the Children president and CEO. Howell will be responsible for developing and executing organizational strategy, driving transformation programs, strengthening accountability for results, and providing leadership and direction for the growth of Save the Children’s impact around the world. Ferrante will oversee financial planning and analysis, risk management, and audit functions that contribute to excellent financial operations for the international humanitarian organization.

“We are delighted to welcome these two exceptional leaders to Save the Children as we enter a new era of innovation and collaboration,” said Soeripto. “Both Eric and Greg bring extensive experience in financial and operational strategy, and we look forward to their contributions as we adapt our ways of working to be more agile and impactful in an increasingly changing world. Eric and Greg’s leadership capabilities and proven track records set Save the Children up for accelerated progress in ensuring every child gets the future they deserve.”

With 25 years of experience, Howell joins Save the Children from Chemonics International, a leading implementing partner to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). As Chief Financial Officer, Eric oversaw all aspects of financial management of the company, helped Chemonics become 100 percent employee-owned, and led process improvement efforts in the Finance and Accounting division. Prior to his work with Chemonics, Howell led a land privatization project in Ukraine and a small enterprise privatization project in Belarus. He has also worked as an investment banker and financed a pharmacy in Russia.

"Every day, Save the Children works to transform the way the world treats children, and I'm honored to join such an esteemed organization," said Howell. "Along with Janti and the rest of the leadership team, I look forward to realizing our strategic vision and significantly accelerating our ability to bring new solutions to how we reach every last child.”

Ferrante joins Save the Children with more than 20 years of experience, most recently serving as the program chief financial officer at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. In this role, Ferrante advised the president of global policy & advocacy, the president of U.S. programs, and the CFO on key financial, strategic and business issues. He also led their annual planning process and development of multi-year financial and operational strategic plans. Ferrante developed and managed a $1.6 billion innovative finance portfolio, which focused on complex financial structures that encouraged philanthropy and private sector partnerships to drive program goals. Prior to joining the foundation, Ferrante worked at the U.S. Government Accountability Office, focusing on public health issues, and at Booz Allen Hamilton, where he focused on economic and business analysis for a variety of government and private sector clients.

“I’m thrilled to step into this role with an organization that has been committed to changing the lives of children in the U.S. and around the world for 100 years,” said Ferrante. “I am excited about the opportunity to work with so many talented and passionate individuals, and help ensure we are best positioned to achieve our ambitious results for children.”

Howell has a B.A. in Mathematics from Pomona College, a Master of Science in Statistics from the University of Washington, and a MBA from the University of Virginia's Darden School of Business. He will be based in Washington, D.C., where he currently lives with his wife and 8-year-old son.

Ferrante holds a B.S. in biology from the University of South Carolina, a Master of Public Policy from Duke University, and an MBA from Johns Hopkins University. He will be based in Fairfield, Conn., and plans to relocate from Seattle with his wife and two daughters later this summer.  

Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. Since our founding more than 100 years ago, we've been advocating for the rights of children worldwide. In the United States and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming the future we share. Our results, financial statements and charity ratings reaffirm that Save the Children is a charity you can trust. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.