Victoria McColm

Victoria McColm is a social entrepreneur and advocate focused on the nexus of economies, poverty, equality, and conflict. She founded McColm & Company in 2013 as a mission-driven consultancy delivering cross cultural advisory and economic growth strategies for fragile states and vulnerable communities. McCO clients include the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Small Business Administration, U.S. Department of Defense, USAID Implementing Partners, and a number of local and international NGOs active in countries emerging from conflict.

Before founding McColm & Company, Victoria served as the Director for Northern Iraq & Western Afghanistan on an experimental Task Force in the Office of the Secretary at the U.S. Department of Defense, working to leverage economic development tools to stabilize key areas of Iraq and Afghanistan. At the United States Institute of Peace, she built the foundation for the Center of Innovation for Media, Technology, and Peacebuilding, as well as coordinated the Institute’s Sudan portfolio. She also worked at the International Bar Association, where she coordinated efforts to draft a code of conduct for defense counsel appearing before the International Criminal Court. She is trained in grassroots advocacy and for two years served as the Legislative Coordinator for Florida on behalf of Amnesty International. She has served on the Boards of a number of NGOs, including the Free Yezidi Foundation in Dohuk, Iraq, and the Digital Citizen Fund in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Victoria holds a master’s degree in Philosophy, Policy, and Social Value from the London School of Economics and a bachelor’s degree in International Affairs and Political Science from the Florida State University. She has extensive field experience in Afghanistan and Iraq and has worked in over 35 countries. She received two civilian medals for her service at DoD, the Joint Civilian Service Commendation Award and Global War on Terrorism medal.

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