Victor Barnes

Mr. Barnes joined Rotary in September 2013 as the Director of Programs and Grants. In this capacity he oversees the Foundation’s grant-making, the Areas of Focus, The Rotary Peace Centers and Strategic Partnerships. He is also charged with the management of Rotary International’s youth programs, Service and Project Partnerships, Rotary’s member engagement tools including Showcase and Ideas, Community Corps, Rotarian Fellowships and Action Groups. He brings extensive domestic and international experience in education and global health with an emphasis on HIV/AIDS, public-private partnerships, corporate engagement and federal and non-profit grant-making. His professional background includes leadership positions at the U.S. Agency for International Development and The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and with the non-profit sector, where Mr. Barnes worked for The Corporate Council on Africa directing U.S. private sector investment in African healthcare delivery and infrastructure. Mr. Barnes also served as Senior Vice President at AIDS United, a public philanthropy funding community-based organizations addressing HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment in the U.S. Mr. Barnes has lived and worked in Africa, Asia, Central and Latin America, and the Russian Federation. He holds an undergraduate degree in French from Washington and Lee University, a Master’s degree in African Studies from University of California at Los Angeles and completed his doctoral course work at Stanford University in International Development Education. He served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Mulugwishi, Zaire from 1975-1977.