Elika Dadsetan
Elika Dadsetan-Foley is the CEO & Executive Director of VISIONS, Inc.
Elika is an Iranian-born, U.S.-based leader in human-centered systems change, with over 20 years of experience advancing inclusive practices across education, international development, and nonprofit sectors. She currently serves as CEO of VISIONS, Inc., a 40+ year-old organization known for pioneering cross-cultural dialogue and organizational transformation rooted in justice, healing, and relationship-building.
Elika brings deep expertise in conflict transformation, trauma-informed leadership, and participatory program design. Her global experience includes seven years at the World Bank designing social development, youth justice and safeguarding initiatives in post-conflict West Africa and Central Asia, leading psychosocial and education programming globally in emergency settings, as well as leading federally funded programs in higher education supporting low-income, first-generation students. She has also consulted with international agencies such as INEE and contributed thought leadership to forums including StrategicCHRO360, Forbes, and the Carnegie International Nuclear Policy Conference.
Innovative nonprofit and international development leader with over 20 years of experience managing multi-country programs, leading cross-cultural teams, and developing systems-focused interventions across education, justice, and mental health sectors. Extensive expertise in conflict transformation, participatory program design, and culturally responsive leadership development. Proven ability to build partnerships across government, private, and civil society sectors and lead strategic change initiatives under high-pressure contexts. Passionate about ethical governance, relational repair, and embedding inclusive, human-centered values into organizational systems.
Elika holds a Doctor of Education (EdD) from Northeastern University, an MSW from USC, a MA in Peace and Justice from Kroc School at USD, a law degree, and multiple advanced degrees focused on human rights and conflict resolution. She is trilingual (English, Farsi, Krio) and passionate about reimagining governance, ethics, and leadership in service of collective liberation.
