Jesus Melendez

Global Program Manager, ICT4D/M4D/D4D Researcher & Advisor, and Digital Humanitarian in Rochester, New York

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Global Program Manager, ICT4D Researcher and Advisor, and advocate for an inclusive and equitable "Data Revolution" that supports implementation of the Sustainable Development Agenda.

After 11 years of working overseas, Europe, South East Asia and Middle East, I have ended up in the amazing Finger Lakes region of Western New York, near the City of Rochester. with my wife and two kids. When I am not thinking how to close the digital divide, or how to better harness digital technology and data (heavy, big and/or small) to recover from humanitarian crisis, I try to spend as much time as possible with my wife and two kids, depending on the season either hiking, snowing or sailing, and always cooking.

These days I also volunteer my time to:

- The Borgen Project; educating, advocating and lobbying to continuesly improve the United States government Foreign Aid agenda,

- Engineering For Change; as an ICT Expert Advisor

- Humanitarian Open Street Map; as a digital humanitarian making the invisible visible through digital maps.

My background is 15 years in the Telecommunications industry, working in consulting, large corporate and start-up environments. Experience in all kinds of strategic, operational and technology driven initiatives, from IT solution integration, to product development, and greenfield or turnaround operations (transformation). Since 2009 I have thriven working in developing and Least Developed markets across Middle East (GCC countries, Yemen, Iran, Egypt) and Asia (Bangladesh, Pakistan, Iran, Nepal, Indonesia, Sri Lanka), as a result of which I have developed an interest and expertise in a variety of ICT4D/M4D solutions and services, as well as becoming a passionate expert on the importance of closing the digital divide; access, affordability, relevance and readiness wise.

In 2014 I have decided to broader my knowledge with an M.A. in International relations from the Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy (Tufts University). This experience has helped me to developed a holistic view of the world’s challenges and opportunities ahead, where I believe technology can be harnessed for positive social-economic change. I am particularly interested in the Sustainable Development Goals agenda, and on harnessing the "data revolution" to support its implementation.

If you’d like to get in touch, feel free to say hello through any of the social links below. If you think my profile is a good fit to your organization, you can click the button above to hire me.

  • Education
    • The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy
    • University of Hull
    • University of Salamanca