Rebecca Zylberman leads the organization’s efforts to build high-impact partnerships that expand reach, strengthen resilience, and accelerate mission-driven growth. She works with foundations, corporations, and civil society organizations to advance strategic collaboration, unlock new opportunities, and drive solutions that help people and communities thrive across borders.

Rebecca brings more than 20 years of experience in international relations, strategic partnerships, and program design. At IREX, she previously served as Deputy Director, Strategic Partnerships and Senior Technical Advisor in the New Business Development Unit, where she led major funding pursuits for the organization’s Leadership and Education Practices and helped shape competitive, high-quality program designs. Her work has strengthened leadership programming for emerging civil society leaders and entrepreneurs, advanced IREX’s Leadership Approach and workforce development programming, supported and grown the Impact Fellowships Summit and Network, and contributed to research on the social impact of fellowship alumni and the power of networks to drive lasting change.

Before joining IREX, Rebecca held successive roles at the British Council for more than eight years, supporting leadership, civil society, and education initiatives across Europe, South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the United States. She holds an MA in global policy from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and a BA in international studies from American University.