James Okonkwo

James Okonkwo serves as Head of Partnerships at Volunteer World Guide, where he works with volunteer organizations worldwide to ensure ethical practices and meaningful impact.

Born and raised in Kenya, James spent a decade as a teacher and education program coordinator before transitioning to the nonprofit sector. He has firsthand experience with what makes volunteer programs succeed—and what causes them to fail local communities.

James's unique perspective as someone who has worked on "both sides" of the volunteer equation—as a local coordinator receiving international volunteers and now as an advisor to volunteers—gives him invaluable insight into creating mutually beneficial volunteer experiences.

He is particularly passionate about challenging harmful narratives around international volunteering, including orphanage tourism and white savior complexes. His articles focus on ethical considerations, community development, and child protection in volunteer contexts.

James holds a Master's in Education from the University of Nairobi and is a frequent speaker at international development conferences.