Taking A Look Back: Reflections on the 2019 Gala and the Journey Since

From Noah Burch, Chief Operating Officer & Executive Director

In 2019, I stood beside Dr Mackenzie Robinson at the Courtney Jordan Foundation Gala in Durham, North Carolina — our first major event together after stepping into our new roles. It was a night filled with nerves and hope in equal measure. That evening was more than a gala; it marked the beginning of a new era.

I had just moved back home to the UK from the US, where the Foundation was originally headquartered. The decision to transition our base of operations to the United Kingdom in 2018 was daunting for many involved. The uncertainty, the logistics, the emotional toll — it was no small thing. And yet, through it all, the mission endured.

Looking back now, in 2025, six years on from that night, I’m overcome with a sense of awe and gratitude for the incredible people we’ve met, the lives we’ve impacted, and the global footprint we’ve built. Here’s a glimpse into the journey we’ve travelled together:

Dr Mackenzie Robinson and Noah Burch address guests during the Courtney Jordan Foundation’s Winter in Summer Gala, 2019. This marked their first formal address as CEO and COO respectively, setting the tone for the Foundation’s next chapter of global impact.

🌍 Global Growth and Impact

1. Strategic Relocation to the UK (2018):

• Despite initial trepidation, relocating the Foundation to London allowed us to engage more effectively with multilateral partners, international development agencies, and the wider Commonwealth network.

• Strengthened partnerships with UK-based philanthropic institutions and think tanks enriched our global lens and sharpened our approach.

2. Expansion into Bangladesh:

• The Foundation was granted observer status on the Privy Council for Economic Development under former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

• Over £12 million directed towards community development initiatives since 2020.

• Established three permanent education hubs serving over 18,000 children and young people annually.

• Supported over 2,500 women entrepreneurs through microfinancing and skills training programmes.

3. Projects in Sri Lanka and Mozambique:

• In Sri Lanka:

  • Launched a trauma-informed education model post-conflict, benefiting 14,000 students in the Eastern Province.

  • Partnered with local ministries to train 650 educators in inclusive pedagogy.

• In Mozambique:

  • Installed clean water infrastructure reaching 29 rural communities.

  • Reduced water-borne illnesses by 58% in impacted areas within the first 18 months.

4. Startup Fund in the Americas (2023 Launch):

• A £7.4 million seed fund supporting mission-aligned startups in underserved regions of Latin America and the Caribbean.

• Focus areas: sustainable agriculture, digital access, and youth empowerment.

• First round funded 19 ventures, with early indicators showing a 43% employment growth across cohorts within 12 months.

5. New Offices and Staff Community:

• Offices now in London, Nairobi, Accra, Bogotá, Dhaka, and Colombo.

• Welcomed over 120 new team members since 2019 — each bringing expertise, passion, and local insight to our global work.

• Created a cross-office mentorship programme that pairs junior staff with senior leadership globally.

  

  Dr Mackenzie Robinson and Noah Burch share a heartfelt embrace amidst applause at the close of the Courtney Jordan Foundation’s Winter in Summer Gala. This moment marked the emotional culmination of their first event in leadership — a symbolic gesture of partnership, trust, and the journey ahead.

🤝 Personal Reflections

When I first returned to the UK, I wasn’t sure what home would feel like anymore. Leaving behind my Durham family was painful — but what I found in London and across our global sites was an extended family I never expected.

The Foundation today is not just a philanthropic engine — it’s a community. A movement. A reminder that when people come together with purpose, borders blur and belonging is found in shared mission.

From a nervous night at a gala in Durham to boardrooms in Dhaka, to rain-soaked villages in Mozambique and bold new startups in Bogotá — this journey has changed me. It has changed all of us.

And yet, we are just getting started.

With gratitude and conviction,
Noah Burch
Chief Operating Officer & Executive Director
The Courtney Jordan Foundation