Glenn Surabian

Glenn Surabian is an international development strategist, engineer, and organizational leader with nearly four decades of experience designing and implementing complex economic development, capacity-building, and community advancement initiatives across nearly 60 countries on five continents. Working directly with governments, institutions, communities, and development partners, he has helped guide transformational programs that strengthen local economies, build institutional capacity, and support long-term sustainable growth.

 

Trained as an engineer, Glenn combines analytical rigor with practical, on-the-ground experience. Early in his career, building on degrees in mechanical engineering and engineering physics, he earned international patents for two materials science innovations designed to improve fiber optic gyroscope performance. He later added an MBA and Project Management Professional certification as his career expanded into strategy and program leadership.

 

Throughout his international development career, Glenn has advised leading multilateral and bilateral institutions - including the World Bank, IFC, Asian Development Bank, and USAID - as well as regional bodies, host governments, and private-sector partners across Africa, Latin America, Europe, and Asia on competitiveness, value chain development including integrated supply chain assessment, local content strategies, institutional strengthening, sustainability planning, and long-term program governance. He has led or contributed to more than 80 sector assessments spanning agriculture, manufacturing, infrastructure, construction, workforce development, and community development, and has authored or co-authored multiple international development publications.

 

As a member of the Board of Directors of Soft Power Solutions New Frontier, Glenn provides strategic guidance on organizational development, governance, regulatory compliance, partnership strategy, and implementation planning. His global perspective, technical expertise, and commitment to sustainable development support SPSNF's mission to foster local capacity and expand opportunity through collaborative, long-term solutions.