Paul Macek

Biography

Paul Macek is the Vice President of Programs for the World Cocoa Foundation, where he manages WCF’s global portfolio of projects and programs. In this capacity, Paul leads WCF’s country engagement and the technical areas of agricultural productivity, social development, and the environment. He is particularly passionate about social impact investing and entrepreneurship on the African continent where he has lived and worked for over 20 years.

Before joining WCF, Paul worked with prominent international relief and development non-profits. Paul was the Senior Director for food security and livelihoods with World Vision, where he led a team responsible for the acquisition and implementation of more than 30 programs and projects worldwide. The annual $85 million portfolio of projects comprised of a diverse range of technical areas that included food security, agriculture, humanitarian assistance, climate change and adaptation, and economic development. Prior to joining World Vision, Paul held several prominent positions with Catholic Relief Services throughout sub-Saharan Africa. These positions included Country Representative (Uganda and Zambia); Deputy Regional Director for Southern Africa; Regional Emergency Representative in Southern Africa; and Program Manager in Benin and South Sudan.

Paul graduated from the University of Wisconsin (Madison, WI) with a BA in History and Political Science and holds an MA in International Affairs from American University (Washington, DC) with a focus on development studies and political economy. When he’s not working, Paul enjoys spending time with his family, sailing on the Chesapeake Bay and traveling.