Social Impact Heroes: Why & How Aleksander Dardeli & Save the Children Are Helping To Change Our World
…Nonprofits have truly noble missions. In our case, it’s about ensuring that children grow up healthy, receive an education, and are protected from harm. That’s our purpose. It’s why we exist. But beyond that, we’re also part of a larger community — both here in the U.S. and globally. And one of the most critical ingredients of a thriving society is trust — social trust. Individuals, communities, and societies thrive when there is a foundation of trust. This doesn’t mean we all have to agree on everything. It doesn’t mean we have perfect information or identical perspectives. It simply means that, at a basic level, we believe in each other’s goodwill — that we’re all trying to do something that matters for the greater good. I believe nonprofits can play a role in rebuilding social trust by doing a few key things. First, by staying true to their mission — delivering on their promises and not getting distracted by everything else that comes their way. People expect us to be consistent, competent, and focused on what we set out to do. Second, by reaching out and engaging people who may not see eye to eye with us. Sometimes, the most impactful progress happens when opposites come together to find common ground…
I had the pleasure of interviewing Aleksander (Aleks) Dardeli. Aleks is an international development executive with a career spanning over two decades in governance, institutional reform, and humanitarian leadership. Since September 2023, he has served as the Chief Operating Officer of Save the Children, overseeing strategic execution, transformation initiatives, and accountability measures for the global humanitarian organization.
Before joining Save the Children, Dardeli was Executive Vice President at IREX, a nonprofit focused on education and global development. During his tenure, he led a strategy that more than doubled the organization’s revenue over six years and expanded its global reach. His leadership resulted in a merger with Development Gateway, the establishment of the IREX Center for Applied Learning and Impact, and the creation of a strategic partnership unit. He also championed a gender and social inclusion strategy while driving country and regional programs to advance localization.
Dardeli’s career has included senior roles at IBI International, DynCorp/Casals, the International Development Law Organization, the East-West Management Institute, and the IRIS Center at the University of Maryland. His expertise has been sought in post-conflict environments and emerging economies, where he has advised government and private-sector clients on education, governance, institutional reform, and information integrity. From 2006 to 2008, he played a pivotal role in Kosovo’s transition to independence, directing a project that prepared the Office of the Prime Minister and six government ministries for self-governance.
Born in Albania, Dardeli grew up under a communist regime before immigrating to pursue his education and career. He holds an undergraduate degree from Tirana University, a master’s degree from Columbia University, and a JD from the Catholic University of America. In addition to his leadership at Save the Children, he is a member of the Board of Directors at Development Gateway.
Dardeli’s approach to leadership is shaped by his belief in the transformative power of investing in children, a philosophy that aligns with Save the Children’s mission. His work has taken him across multiple continents, from Latin America to Central Asia, addressing issues ranging from textbook reforms in Ukraine to governance transparency in Paraguay. His firsthand experiences in conflict-affected and economically disadvantaged regions have reinforced his commitment to creating sustainable solutions through local partnerships rather than externally imposed policies.
A resident of Arlington, Virginia, Dardeli lives with his wife and three children.
Yitzi: Aleksander, before we dive deeper, I’d love to learn about your personal origin story. Can you share a bit about your childhood and how you grew up?
Aleks: As you can probably tell from my accent, I was born somewhere else. I grew up in Albania when it was under a repressive communist regime, before the Iron Curtain fell. It was a really restrictive environment. Communism was not kind to people, communities, or freedoms, and my family experienced all of that.
I hate to call it a “traditional parade of horrors” under communism, but that experience taught me the importance of family. Family was always there for me. They created a loving environment, and because of that, I was sheltered from a lot of the struggles happening around us.
It also instilled in me a passion for change — making sure people have the freedoms and opportunities to thrive, realize their dreams, and live with dignity. That passion has stayed with me throughout my career, in every job I’ve had, and in my personal life. It’s woven into my DNA.
Yitzi: Can you share the story that brought you to your position as the leader of Save the Children?
Aleks: For the past 25 years, I’ve been working in international development, which basically means helping communities around the world thrive — giving people a fair shot at opportunity, freedoms, and achieving their dreams.
I’ve worked across nearly every continent, from Paraguay in Latin America to Kyrgyzstan in Central Asia, from Kosovo in Eastern Europe to Cambodia in Southeast Asia. My work has covered a wide range of areas — reforming textbooks in Ukraine, strengthening universities in Jordan so they can better serve students, supporting civil society efforts to influence policy, helping address disasters in Liberia, and reforming public institutions in Paraguay to reduce corruption and improve accountability.
Through all these experiences, I’ve come to the conclusion that if you have a dollar to invest in change, the best place to spend it is on a child. Because when you invest in a child, you change the trajectory of their life — and, by extension, the future of their community and even humanity as a whole. That connection to children and the mission of Save the Children is what drew me to the organization in the first place.
The second reason is that Save the Children is a massive nonprofit, and like all nonprofits, we’re at a crossroads. The landscape is changing — business models, crises, conflicts, and the growing number of challenges we have to navigate all at once. We face real problems. And I love solving problems.
I want to help my team and this organization push through these challenges, adapt, and continue to thrive, just as it has for the past 100 years. Those two things — my commitment to children and my drive to tackle complex challenges — are what brought me here.
Yitzi: You’ve probably had some amazing experiences. Can you share one or two of the most interesting stories that you have encountered since you began leading Save the Children?
Aleks: I recently visited our programs in Perry County, Eastern Kentucky. It’s a beautiful place — one of the most stunning parts of Appalachia. Picture green, towering hills, deep ravines, winding valleys, little creeks, and rivers. It’s breathtaking.
At the same time, it’s juxtaposed with massive poverty. This was coal county, but when the industry declined, there wasn’t a strong enough economic foundation to transition into something else. That loss of economic development led to a loss of opportunities, which contributed to challenges like the opioid crisis and families struggling with overwhelming difficulties.
One of the biggest takeaways from my visit was realizing that many of the challenges I’ve seen overseas also exist right here in the U.S. — lack of opportunity, lack of resources, limited access to education, weak governance structures to address these issues, and a lack of local empowerment.
What inspired me most, though, is seeing the impact Save the Children has had. We’ve been there for decades, and one of the things we do well is partnering with local communities. We focus on building networks of impact — bringing together parents, community organizations, local civil society, faith-based groups, and local governments — so that the solutions we collectively create for kids are sustainable. They don’t just stop at aid; they turn into long-term policies with real resources behind them.
That experience was transformative for me. It made me feel an even greater responsibility to focus on the challenges we face at home and to make sure that all children — no matter where they live — have the chance to thrive.
Yitzi: It’s been said that sometimes our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Do you have a story about a humorous mistake you made when you were first starting — either at this organization or elsewhere — and the lesson you learned from it?
Aleks: Let me share an experience from an earlier stage in my career. As I mentioned, I worked in Kosovo twice, at two different times. Both were exciting and rewarding professional experiences.
The first time, I was part of a U.S. government-funded project aimed at helping Kosovo modernize its laws. I was proud to contribute to that effort, working alongside local institutions to rewrite legislation. One of the laws we worked on was the Law on Business Organizations — essentially, the legal framework for setting up companies.
I had an IMF expert review the law, along with several other legal professionals, and they all gave it glowing feedback: “This is great. Best practices. Well done.” I was really proud of it. I completed my work and moved on.
Then, a few years later, I returned to Kosovo for a different project. This time, part of my role was to review past legislation, including laws that had been previously implemented. And guess what? My own law — the one I had been so proud of — didn’t hold up very well. The review found that it could be improved, and, more importantly, it lacked local ownership. People didn’t see it as something that truly reflected their needs.
That was a humbling moment. I learned the hard way that you can’t just parachute in with a pre-made solution, apply it to people’s problems, and assume it will work. Even with the best intentions, you can’t impose change from the outside. The people who will be affected by a law or policy need to be involved in shaping it themselves. My role should have been more about supporting and facilitating their own efforts, rather than trying to apply a one-size-fits-all solution.
It was a painful lesson, but an important one — real, lasting change comes from within the community itself.
Yitzi: You’ve described how Save the Children is making a social impact. Can you zoom in and tell us a story about a particular individual — without naming names — who has been directly helped by Save the Children?
Aleks: I won’t mention names, but this is a really moving story. It’s about someone who had a powerful experience while working with us in Sudan. He was there helping children in their communities, and one day, he noticed a group of kids walking around, scanning the ground, looking intently at the soil. He was curious — what were they doing?
As it turned out, they were searching for water. They were looking for damp or moist soil, a sign that there might be water underneath that they could access. Seeing this had a profound impact on him, and he felt compelled to do something about it.
That moment sparked an idea, which led to conversations, partnerships, and eventually, real solutions. Working alongside local communities and organizations, we helped install water pumps so that families could access clean, drinkable water.
But the most powerful part of this story is who this person was. Before joining us, he had actually been a beneficiary of Save the Children’s work in another country. Our support had made such a difference in his life that he was determined to give back. He worked hard to join Save the Children and eventually became part of our team, using his own experience to create change for others.
It’s a beautiful full-circle moment — proof of how even one act of support can ripple out and change lives across generations and communities.
Yitzi: That’s beautiful. Are there things that the community, society, or government can do to help address the root causes of the problems you’re working to solve? What can we do — as individuals, as a society, or as a government — to support your mission?
Aleks: That’s a great question, and also a difficult one. As individuals, there are a few things we can do. People often say, in a somewhat cliché way, that “every little bit helps.” But there’s truth to that. Change doesn’t just happen — it requires contributions, support, and volunteerism. Whether it’s donating, offering help, or volunteering for causes that support children, all of it makes a difference. At the individual level, that’s what we’re looking for.
At the community level, awareness is key. Understanding the challenges children face — whether it’s access to quality education, healthcare, or proper nutrition — is the first step. But awareness alone isn’t enough. We need to translate that awareness into advocacy, pushing for policies that secure funding and resources for children. When communities speak up, it sends a powerful message that these issues matter.
At the level of public institutions, there are several crucial things that need to happen. First, governments need to prioritize children in their budgets. Public institutions are often overwhelmed with competing priorities, but funding programs that support kids shouldn’t be an afterthought — it should be a top priority.
Second, we need strong policies, practices, and systems in place that are designed to support children effectively. It’s not just about having programs; it’s about ensuring they are well-equipped, properly funded, and capable of making a real impact.
And third, public institutions serve as the guarantors of children’s rights. While organizations like Save the Children can advocate, support, and assist, we can’t replace the role of governments in ensuring that children’s rights are protected. Governments have a non-negotiable duty to uphold those rights, and their involvement and dedication are essential.
So across all levels — individuals, communities, and public institutions — there’s a spectrum of ways we can come together to create meaningful change for children.
Yitzi: This is our signature question that we ask all the leaders we interview. You’ve been blessed with a lot of success. Looking back to when you first started your career, can you share five things you know now that you wish you had known back then?
Aleks: Oh, that’s a great question. Five things I wish I knew when I started…
1. Build connections and networks. This is fundamental to success, whether it’s bringing an idea to life, making an impact as an organization, or advancing in your career. The foundation of all of that is relationships — shaking hands, putting yourself out there, asking questions. Don’t be afraid to admit what you don’t know and seek advice. Many young professionals struggle with shyness or assume they already know enough from school or limited experience. Overcome that. Build your network. Be curious. Ask questions.
2. Success is a marathon, not a sprint. Maybe this isn’t the best analogy, but think of your career like a long-distance race. You might stumble in the short term — you may even lose a few battles — but the key is to keep your eyes on the long-term goal. Resilience, patience, and commitment are what matter. It’s about the journey, not just the quick wins.
3. Stay open-minded and curious. The best we can do is offer well-intentioned, evolving solutions. No one has a monopoly on truth, perspectives, or data. The best ideas don’t come from one person alone — they require input from many voices. To truly grow and make an impact, you need to have an open mind and a constant desire to learn.
4. Have courage. Courage doesn’t always mean doing something extreme or putting your life at risk. Sometimes, it means speaking up at work, making the right choice even when it’s unpopular, or going against the grain at personal cost because it’s the right thing to do. The short-term discomfort is worth the long-term benefits. You build credibility, stronger relationships, and a legacy you can be proud of.
5. Think outside the box. We all tend to become stuck in certain ways of thinking, following the same paths we’ve seen before. But real change happens when we push beyond those boundaries and ask, “What else is possible?” History shows us that things we once thought were impossible — whether it was the fall of communism, space travel, or artificial intelligence — eventually became reality. Innovation comes from having the courage to believe in new possibilities.
Yitzi: Amazing answers. OK, we’re almost done. Here’s our aspirational question. Aleksander, because of the great work you’re doing and have done, you’re a person of enormous influence. If you could spread an idea or inspire a movement that would bring the most good to the most people, what would it be?
Aleks: Oh, that’s a tough question. I appreciate the thoughtfulness of it, but it’s not an easy one to answer. Let me focus on an issue that is central to Save the Children’s work but also has broader significance. It involves communities and societies as a whole.
Nonprofits have truly noble missions. In our case, it’s about ensuring that children grow up healthy, receive an education, and are protected from harm. That’s our purpose. It’s why we exist.
But beyond that, we’re also part of a larger community — both here in the U.S. and globally. And one of the most critical ingredients of a thriving society is trust — social trust.
Individuals, communities, and societies thrive when there is a foundation of trust. This doesn’t mean we all have to agree on everything. It doesn’t mean we have perfect information or identical perspectives. It simply means that, at a basic level, we believe in each other’s goodwill — that we’re all trying to do something that matters for the greater good.
I believe nonprofits can play a role in rebuilding social trust by doing a few key things. First, by staying true to their mission — delivering on their promises and not getting distracted by everything else that comes their way. People expect us to be consistent, competent, and focused on what we set out to do.
Second, by reaching out and engaging people who may not see eye to eye with us. Sometimes, the most impactful progress happens when opposites come together to find common ground.
If there’s one idea I’d like to see more nonprofits embrace, it’s this: take the role of social trust seriously. Look for ways to contribute, in measurable ways, to building trusting communities. This won’t be a cure-all — it won’t work in every situation, especially in times of conflict and war — but it can make a meaningful difference in many communities. And that’s something we can all work toward.
Yitzi: How can our readers continue to follow your work? How can they support or get involved in any way?
Aleks: Thank you for asking.
I invite your readers to visit savethechildren.org — our website is a great resource. You can also follow Save the Children on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn and YouTube. There’s a wealth of information there, and I think you’ll find stories that will move and inspire you.
We’re often in the news — whether it’s responding to conflicts in the Middle East, crises around the world, or disasters like the wildfires in California. When you hear our name in these situations, consider supporting us. Your contribution, big or small, will make a real impact. And you can be sure that you’re joining a team of like-minded individuals who believe that every child deserves to grow up healthy, safe, and with opportunities for a better future.
Yitzi: That’s beautiful, Alexander. Thank you so much for your time. I wish you continued success and blessings, and I hope we can do this again next year.
Aleks: I really appreciate this. It was great getting to know you a little bit.
Social Impact Heroes: Why & How Aleksander Dardeli & Save the Children Are Helping To Change Our… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.