Corporate Biography: Dr. Malcom Dang

30-Minute Limit Assignment:

As a child impacted by conflict and disaster, Dr. Malcom Dang always desired to help others like him. He never wavered from this desire throughout his life and looks forward to making a difference as the newly appointed President of the International Rescue Committee (IRC). A devout public servant, Malcolm’s life mission is similar to that of the IRC's, "to help people whose lives and livelihood are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their futures." Dr. Dang is no stranger to a life filled with conflict, as he grew up in the foster care system, moving from one family to the next for 12 years after losing his mother at the age of six to cancer and his father a year later to suicide.

Despite his challenging upbringing, Dr. Dang excelled as a student and received a full academic scholarship to Harvard University, where he graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Sociology and Phycology. After graduating, he spent two years in Nigeria with the Peace Corps. Upon returning home, he obtained an MBA from The University of Pennsylvania and a Ph.D. in Psychology from Stanford University. Dr. Dang's life journey only further contributed to his overarching desire to make a difference in others' lives. Before joining the IRC, Dr. Dang was the CEO of Doctors without Borders for eight years and the Peace Corps Director for five. As the President of the IRC, Dr. Dang plans to use his "life learnings and experiences to make a difference by putting into place new high-impact and cost-effective solutions to help people affected by crisis, improving their lives through reshaping policies and practices."

Those who know Dr. Dang can attest to his kind demeanor, optimistic personality, and overarching desire to help others. James Andrews, Dr. Dang's fraternity brother and lifelong friend, says he "has truly never met someone quite like Malcolm, adding that "he is the kind of person you don't just want in your life, but need." Jody Olsen, the current Director of the Peace Corps, says, "I spent some of the best years of my life working with Malcolm. He was the kind of guy that genuinely cared about his work and those around him. Despite his hardships, I don't think a day went by in my four years working with him where he didn't have a smile on his face. The IRC is incredibly lucky to have Malcolm in its corner, and I do not doubt that he will have a tremendous impact on its mission and vision."

Dr. Dang met his wife Lorraine while serving in the Peace Corps. Like him, Lorraine has also committed her life to helping others, having served on the boards of CARE, the International Medical Corps, and Action Against Hunger. Together, they live in New Haven, Connecticut, with their three daughters, Camille, Emily, and Sophia, aged 14, 16, and 19. As a family, they spend their summers on mission trips with their church, having spent time building homes, churches and helping those in need in places like Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Haiti. Malcolm and Lorraine's children plan to follow in their footsteps and dream of founding their own nonprofit one day. Dr. Dang practices the same commitment to his family that he does to his work and life mission. He says, "Every day I wake up committed to being a better father than I was the day before. I want to give my children and children everywhere the life that I didn't have. Nothing makes me happier than seeing a smile on my daughter's faces, and I refuse to waver in my mission of ensuring every child has a reason to smile.

Although he used to resent his upbringing, Dr. Dang has learned to appreciate it. He says, "As a child, I never thought I would have the opportunity to attend the schools I did, travel to the places I have, or become the father and man I am today. When you have been impacted by conflict and disaster, dreaming can be hard. However, dreams are what help you to recover and gain control of your future. I stand sternly by my childhood dreams as the motivation that got me to where I am today.”

As the new President of the International Rescue Committee, Dr. Dang says he will ensure that every child and adult impacted by conflict and disaster regains the confidence to dream again. Then, they at the IRC will do whatever it takes to make those dreams a reality.