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Scott Merrill

Senior Director at Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter, Habitat for Humanity International

Scott Merrill is a senior leader in innovation and market-based development approaches, currently serving as the Senior Director of Regional Operations at the Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter, a part of Habitat for Humanity International.1

Professional Experience

Scott has an extensive background in international development, having worked in over a dozen countries across South and Southeast Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, and the Balkans.1 His career has focused on addressing various development challenges, including:

  • Economic and private sector development
  • Housing
  • Agriculture and food security
  • Health
  • Disaster risk reduction
  • Humanitarian response

Current Role

In his current position, which he assumed in October 2023, Scott is responsible for:

  • Designing and implementing strategies to scale Habitat's impact
  • Developing regional approaches to influence housing systems
  • Making housing markets more inclusive worldwide1

Previous Positions

Prior to his current role, Scott held several other positions within the Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter:

  • Senior Director (August 2019 - October 2023)
  • Global Director, Market Systems and Entrepreneurship (March 2017 - August 2019)

In these roles, he led programs applying market-based approaches to create more inclusive housing markets, benefiting millions of people annually.1

Earlier Career

Before joining Habitat for Humanity, Scott worked in various capacities:

  • Senior Technical Advisor at CARE (2015-2017)
  • Senior Associate at Action for Enterprise (2009-2010)
  • Senior Consultant / Program Manager at JOBS Trust (2007-2009)
  • Peace Corps Volunteer in Bangladesh (2002-2004)1

Education

Scott holds a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Texas A&M University and a Master of Arts in International Relations and International Economics from The Johns Hopkins University - Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS).1

Through his work, Scott Merrill has demonstrated a commitment to applying innovative approaches to address global housing challenges and promote inclusive development.

Highlights

Sep 28 · linkedin

How do low-income households and masons make house #construction decisions? Read the findings from the Terwilliger Center’s three-country study with MarketShare Associates examining the social norms, networks and information flows that influence incremental home building practices in Kenya, India and Peru. Check out the article at: bit.ly/BeyondBuilding Erin Markel Adriano Scarampi Meghan Bolden Sheldon Yoder

Feb 8 · linkedin

We’ll be hosting a #MarketSystemsSymposium Pre-Consultation event in Washington DC next Wednesdsay February 13th -- space is limited, register today to explore our Symposium track in advance!

Related Questions

What are some of the key innovations Scott Merrill has introduced at the Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter?
How has Scott Merrill's work impacted affordable housing globally?
What are the main challenges Scott Merrill addresses in his role at the Terwilliger Center?
Can you provide examples of successful programs led by Scott Merrill?
How does Scott Merrill's background in international development influence his work at Habitat for Humanity?
Scott Merrill
Scott Merrill, photo 1
Scott Merrill, photo 2
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Experience

Senior Director of Regional Operations at Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter (Habitat for Humanity International) since October 2023
Senior Director at Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter (August 2019 - October 2023), Global Director, Market Systems and Entrepreneurship at Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter (Marc at Family Health International (October 2007 - September 2008), Peace Corps Volunteer (August 2002 - September 2004)

Education

Bachelor of Science (BS) in Sociology from Texas A&M University, Master of Arts (MA) in International Relations and International Economics, Honors from The Johns Hopkins University - Paul H. Nitze Sc

Location

Atlanta, Georgia, United States