Plenty of room for aid worker 'knowledge and networks' in private sector

From the Peace Corps to the Millennium Challenge Corporation, Tim Docking cultivated a career in international development while becoming particularly knowledgeable about initiatives in Africa. So when multinational technology and consulting corporation IBM was looking for a candidate to help navigate government relations as it built its business on the rapidly growing continent, Docking was an excellent fit — not in spite of, but because of his development experience. From there, he pivoted out of government relations into his current role as lead of the emerging markets funding group.

The impetus for his career move was a belief that development can be enhanced by the private sector — and that the thoughtful growth of corporations can lead to hugely important sustainable socio-economic growth in developing countries.

Docking is not alone. Companies worldwide are increasingly seeing business value in doing good — and the development community is taking note, pushing forward public-private partnerships in a variety of sectors from health to education. And as firms make plans to expand their businesses into emerging markets, individuals with years of experience working in developing countries find themselves in a unique position — to put that knowledge to use in a for-profit environment.