The Center for International Research, Education, and Development (CIRED) has named Joshua Anderson its business development director.

Anderson comes to Virginia Tech with experience in leading teams that seek funding and in writing proposals at large international humanitarian and development organizations. He will oversee the center's business-development cycle  beginning with initial project identification.

CIRED Executive Director Van Crowder said, “Joshua will play a critical role in leading efforts to grow and diversify the center's project portfolio strategically. Business development is an essential component in connecting the university to global opportunities. Joshua has the skills needed to build relationships with more donors and to identify more resources and paths for engaging Virginia Tech’s faculty, staff, and students.”

After earning a bachelor’s degree in English at the University of Virginia, Anderson spent nearly four years teaching business and finance courses in China and earned a master’s degree in business administration from Fort Hays State University. 

He returned to the United States in 2013 to work with Plan International USA, an independent development and humanitarian organization. He created budgets for grant proposals totaling more than $250 million. In 2016, he  returned to Asia and began working in Manila with World Vision Philippines, a global Christian humanitarian organization. He managed a 10-person team that pursued grant proposals from sources including the Gates Foundation and Proctor & Gamble. 

“I am pleased to help position the center for a wider range of opportunities that not only transforms the lives of people around the world, but also enriches the lives of the Virginia Tech faculty implementing the projects,” Anderson said.

Part of Outreach and International Affairs, CIRED is a university-wide center that links Virginia Tech to the world, supporting the university’s global mission by pursuing, developing, and managing projects that support the university’s research, teaching, and development efforts. Since 1993, the center has brought in $195 million in project funding and has worked in 43 countries.  

Written by April Raphiou

Share this story