Dara Burke

Dara Burke was appointed Chief of Staff in 2021. In this role, Dara provides strategic advice and support to the Chief Executive Officer, works closely with the Executive Leadership Team and Concern’s Board of Directors and works across teams at Concern to coordinate, align and build cohesion, streamlining processes and ensuring effectiveness as Concern continues to scale and grow.

Prior to this role, Dara developed holistic fundraising and development strategies building fundraising capacity at Concern as Vice President for Individual Giving & Events (2016 – 2021), Foundation Relations Manager (2015- 2016), Development Manager (2014- 2015) and Development Officer (2008- 2013). Dara joined Concern in 2006 as Board Liaison & Office Administrator and shortly after accepted a short-term role as Liaison Officer in N’Djamena, Chad (Nov 2007-Jan 2008) hiring personnel and setting up in-country operations.

As well as her time in Chad, Dara has traveled to Concern programs in Kenya, Uganda, Haiti and Lebanon to deepen donor relations by showing them the impact of their philanthropic investment in Concern’s work.

Dara brings a lifelong commitment to preserving and protecting basic human rights and dignity, stemming from her experience growing up in Nairobi, Kenya. As an experienced non-profit leader, Dara champions responsible leadership, cross-team collaboration and building strong and lasting philanthropic relationships.

Dara obtained a MS in Nonprofit Management from Columbia University and holds a BA in Cultural Anthropology from the University of Vermont. Born in Geneva, Switzerland with dual Irish and American citizenship, Dara currently lives in NW Connecticut with her husband, son and dog. She has a love of the outdoors and in her spare time enjoys going on hikes, skiing, yoga, discovering new music or trying new foods.