First Person– Drew Edwards of Pangea

Drew Edwards is the Co-Founder, CEO at Pangea Educational Development a non-profit organization that has been making a global impact in the lives of children since 2011. PANGEA is motivated by the belief that every student has the right to a quality education. Their evidence-based programming in Uganda addresses the three places where learning occurs: at school, at home, and in the community. Since its inception, PANGEA has grown to over 12 full-time staff members serving more than 4,000 individuals per year. The organization has been recognized for its innovative programs, receiving the 2018 Innovation in Philanthropy Award from GoAbroad.

Drew is a social entrepreneur with international development experience across sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East. He has spent his career working in education with children in post-conflict and crisis settings. He has extensive experience in informal and primary education in low-resource settings. His research interests include early childhood literacy, inclusion and belonging, and the intersection of violence and education. He has written for UNESCO, spoken on NPR, and on stage at SXSWedu.