David Bartholomew is a foreign policy and development finance professional with more than a decade of experience working on U.S. policy in the Middle East and North Africa. He currently serves as Director for Middle East and North Africa Policy at the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), where he advises senior leadership and transaction teams on geopolitical, economic, and national security issues affecting DFC investments across the region. His work focuses on the intersection of foreign policy and private investment, including regional economic integration, infrastructure, energy, financial services, ICT, health, and post-conflict reconstruction.
Prior to joining DFC, Mr. Bartholomew held several positions at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), including Senior National Security Advisor for the Middle East and Asia in the Office of the Administrator, Team Lead for the West Bank and Gaza, and Team Lead for Jordan. In these roles, he advised senior U.S. officials on national security policy and development issues and supported implementation of key initiatives and humanitarian responses throughout the region. Earlier in his career, he worked as an Economic Advisor in the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Israel-Palestinian Affairs, and supported humanitarian and development programs in Lebanon, Ukraine, and the Philippines with the American Red Cross.
Mr. Bartholomew holds an M.A. in International Affairs and Middle East Studies from The George Washington University and a B.A. in Political Science, History, and International Studies from Iowa State University.
