Dr. Hillary Thomas-Lake is a senior international development professional with more than 25 years of international development experience in the public, private and non-profit sectors. Her areas of expertise include philanthropy and partnership development, democracy and governance, conflict management, community-based social enterprises, corporate social investment, negotiation and mediation across a range of international development sectors, including inclusive social and economic growth, with the principal focus regions of the Caribbean, Latin America and Africa.

Hillary is the founder and CEO of the Washington-based international development consulting firm HillTop Development Strategies, where she provides technical direction in the design, implementation, management and evaluation of ethical international development projects and initiatives. She has particular expertise in Africa and the Caribbean, with long-standing experience in Haiti. Previously, Hillary was the managing director and co-founder of LTL Strategies. She designed and implemented development strategies and projects for clients in more than 40 African countries, the Caribbean and Latin America. Additionally, she has worked with the WorldSpace Foundation, the Africa-America Institute, the United States Department of State and Africare, Inc., based in Senegal.

Hillary is fluent in eight languages, including French, Portuguese, Haitian Kreyòl and Spanish. Hillary holds a bachelor’s degree from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, a master’s degree in International Public Policy, a master’s degree in International Relations and a doctorate in International Relations from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS).