Catherine Cheney

Catherine Cheney catherinecheney

Catherine Cheney is the Senior Editor for Special Coverage at Devex. She leads the editorial vision of Devex’s news events and editorial coverage of key moments on the global development calendar. Catherine joined Devex as a reporter, focusing on technology and innovation in making progress on the Sustainable Development Goals. Prior to joining Devex, Catherine earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Yale University, and worked as a web producer for POLITICO, a reporter for World Politics Review, and special projects editor at NationSwell. She has reported domestically and internationally for outlets including The Atlantic and the Washington Post. Catherine also works for the Solutions Journalism Network, a non profit organization that supports journalists and news organizations to report on responses to problems.

Latest Articles

UN tech envoy talks AI governance and the private sector

UN tech envoy talks AI governance and the private sector

2 days ago // Artificial Intelligence

Amandeep Singh Gill, the U.N. secretary-general's envoy on technology, says new efforts such as the Independent International Scientific Panel on AI and India’s AI Impact Summit can help shift power and opportunity toward the global south.

New fund revives USAID’s ‘discovery engine’ outside of government

New fund revives USAID’s ‘discovery engine’ outside of government

20 days ago // Development Finance

USAID’s Development Innovation Ventures served as a rare front door for innovation funding. Now that model moves outside government with the DIV Fund, which will test whether rigorous evidence and flexible capital can still turn small pilots into solutions reaching millions.

Why AI for good still isn’t scaling — and a new effort to fix it

Why AI for good still isn’t scaling — and a new effort to fix it

2 months ago // Devex Pro Live

Despite surging interest and investment, most AI for good efforts remain stuck in disconnected pilots. That's why Kanika Bahl is stepping down as CEO of Evidence Action to lead the new AI Access Initiative.

McGovern Foundation’s AI grants prioritize institutions over breakthroughs

McGovern Foundation’s AI grants prioritize institutions over breakthroughs

2 months ago // Artificial intelligence

The Patrick J. McGovern Foundation has announced more than $75 million in AI-related grants aimed at strengthening the institutions that shape how the technology is used.

How Salesforce’s former CFO is scaling a humanitarian giant

How Salesforce’s former CFO is scaling a humanitarian giant

2 months ago // NGOs

New CEO Amy Weaver is shaping a tech-driven strategy to scale the organization’s global reach — including a new European headquarters designed to deepen pharmaceutical partnerships and lower the cost of delivering aid to Africa and crisis zones worldwide.

As DPI accelerates, African countries pursue digital sovereignty

As DPI accelerates, African countries pursue digital sovereignty

3 months ago // Technology

One of the takeaways from the recent Global DPI Summit was that even as many African countries rely on external support for digital public infrastructure, fragmented aid is forcing an urgent pivot toward national control.

'You cannot fight an invisible problem': Atul Gawande on US aid cuts

'You cannot fight an invisible problem': Atul Gawande on US aid cuts

4 months ago // The Trump Effect

Former USAID global health lead Atul Gawande is exposing the human toll of the Trump administration’s foreign aid cuts in "Rovina’s Choice," a new documentary he executive-produced.

As aid shrinks, top philanthropies test new ways to spur economic growth

As aid shrinks, top philanthropies test new ways to spur economic growth

4 months ago // Devex @ World Bank-IMF 2025

As old growth models falter, the Gates Foundation and, more recently, Open Philanthropy are testing new ways to help low- and middle-income countries prosper. They’re able to take risks, test ideas, and inform policy reforms that multilateral banks and bilateral donors often can’t.

At UNGA80, leaders call for treating journalism as global public good

At UNGA80, leaders call for treating journalism as global public good

5 months ago // Devex @ UNGA80

In a new report, a panel of 11 top economists emphasized that journalism is a stabilizing force in society — and at a Devex Impact House panel on the sidelines of UNGA80, experts reiterated that message.

How ex-USAID staffers turned crisis into action and mobilized $110M

How ex-USAID staffers turned crisis into action and mobilized $110M

5 months ago // Devex @ UNGA80

Project Resource Optimization exists to keep lifesaving programs from shutting down. In just six months, it’s mobilized $110M to sustain 81 health and humanitarian projects, and is inviting more partners to help close the aid gap.