Thomas Fox has been an independent consultant with several international consulting firms, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and private foundations since early 2001. He currently serves as advisor to the donor and chairman of the board of the program arm of ELMA Philanthropies, a new and quite substantial foundation addressing issues that affect poor children and youth in Africa. He is also an adjunct professor/lecturer at George Washington University, with a Masters-level course on NGOs in international development.

Previously, Mr. Fox was Assistant Administrator for Policy and Program Coordination for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), a Presidential appointment held from December 1997 until January 2001. With a career spanning more than forty years in international development, he has have specialized in public-private (including non-profit) partnerships in the international development arena. His experience includes senior management and leadership positions with the US Peace Corps, USAID (1978-82, and 1997-2001), the Council on Foundations, and the World Resources Institute. He was the executive director of VITA from 1972-1978. Though semi-retired, Tom remains active as a volunteer, serving on the governing boards of several NGOs. Management and governance of non-profit organizations remains an interest and specialty.

Mr. Fox grew up in Massachusetts. Educated at Phillips Academy, Andover and Williams College, he married Elizabeth Stewart in 1965. They have two grown children, one of whom lives with them with her partner and two children in Washington, DC where Tom has lived since 1970.