Steve Cartwright brings dedication to economic empowerment and social justice.

Washington, D.C. – July 15, 2024 – Fonkoze USA is delighted to announce the appointment of Steve Cartwright to its Board of Directors. Steve brings a wealth of experience in data and technology, along with a deep commitment to education and economic equity.

Steve Cartwright is the founder of Exponent Education, a consulting firm dedicated to leveraging data and technology to help innovative school systems improve student achievement and promote racial and economic equity. Before founding Exponent, Steve served in numerous data leadership roles in public education, including as Vice President for Strategy and Integration at Teach For America and as Chief Analytics Officer at Tembo, a K-12 data science company. He also led data teams at StudentsFirst and DC Public Schools, where he was a Fellow with the Strategic Data Project at the Harvard Center for Education Policy Research.

Steve began his data career at the Urban Institute’s Education Policy Center after graduating from Notre Dame with a degree in economics and Africana studies and a minor in international peace studies. His journey with Haiti began in 2003 when he first traveled to the country and fell in love with its rich language, culture, and political history. Since learning of Fonkoze in 2007, Steve has supported its growth through pro bono data analysis and as a donor.

Reflecting on his new role, Steve shares, “I’m excited to join Fonkoze USA’s board at this important time to support the organization’s new leadership and growing team. It’s an honor to help steward this incredible family of institutions and their legacy of supporting women and families throughout Haiti.”

Steve’s extensive background and dedication to economic empowerment and social justice align perfectly with Fonkoze’s mission to eliminate extreme poverty in Haiti through the economic empowerment of women and broader, more inclusive access to financial services. Lawrence Arbuthnott, Chair of the Board of Directors for Fonkoze USA, and Senior Director at Capital One Travel, shared:

“The Fonkoze USA Board of Directors is absolutely thrilled to welcome Steve Cartwright as its newest member. Bringing diverse and talented perspectives into the leadership of our organization is always important, but even more critically so now, given the crisis facing our Fonkoze counterparts in Haiti and the country of Haiti and its people as a whole. We look forward to tapping his deep expertise and passion in support of Fonkoze’s now 30-year old mission to empower and elevate Haitian women.” 

Fonkoze USA’s Board of Directors and the entire organization are thrilled to welcome Steve Cartwright and look forward to his contributions to furthering Fonkoze’s impact in Haiti.