Accomplished leader in large international organizations to guide Perkins into its third century of impact

WATERTOWN, Mass., Aug. 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Perkins School for the Blind today announced that David Barth has been named as the organization's next President & Chief Executive Officer. Barth brings more than 25 years of leadership experience with international organizations to Perkins. He has successfully driven large-scale impact, built sustainable education programs for children, and brought about global social and economic progress.

Barth will advance Perkins' work to help children with disabilities find their place in the world. As the global leader in education services for children and young adults with disabilities, last year Perkins reached more than 1.2 million children and families. 

On its renowned Massachusetts campus, Perkins develops best-in-class teaching practices and shares them worldwide—through teacher training, sustainable education programs, and by accelerating innovation for people with disabilities in the DisabilityTech market. With a mission to make quality learning accessible to the 240 million children with disabilities around the world, Perkins is committed to meeting the evolving needs of children, families, and educators.

"For more than two hundred years the Perkins mission has been to see possibilities and the opportunity to break down barriers and build bright futures for children with disabilities," said Stephen Pelletier, Chair of the Perkins Board of Trustees. "We are thrilled to welcome David, who shares our deep belief in the power of education to change lives, one student at a time."

Barth most recently served as Vice President of International Programs at Save the Children US, where he led a team of 400 that oversaw global programming in more than 50 countries. His tenure there encompassed oversight of humanitarian response and global programs across multiple disciplines, including large-scale education initiatives. Prior to Save the Children, David was Director of Global Grants at the Ford Foundation.

"It is an honor to join an institution with such a rich legacy of transforming students' lives," said David Barth, Perkins' incoming President & CEO. "Perkins is a global leader in education services for children and young adults with disabilities. I look forward to ensuring that every child we reach has the opportunity to succeed."

Barth has been recognized internationally with multiple awards for his work in the disability community, including the 2022 InterAction Disability Inclusion Award, honoring his team's commitment to advancing disability inclusion in the U.S. and globally.

David earned his bachelor's degree in political science and international relations from Boston University and his J.D. from the National Law Center at George Washington University.

Barth will join Perkins on the first day of the school year, September 2, 2025. A press kit with David Barth's biography and high-resolution images is available here.

Perkins worked with NU Advisory Partners on the CEO search.

About Perkins School for the Blind

Perkins School for the Blind helps children with disabilities find their place in the world. For nearly 200 years, Perkins has been the global leader in education services for children and young adults with disabilities. From its renowned Massachusetts-based school, Perkins develops best-in-class teaching practices and shares them worldwide—through teacher training, sustainable education programs, and accelerating innovation for people with disabilities. With a mission to make quality learning accessible to the 240 million children with disabilities globally, Perkins is continually innovating to meet the evolving needs of children, families, and educators—breaking down barriers and building brighter futures, one student at a time.

Media Contact:
Perrin McCormick
Perrin.McCormick@Perkins.org
617-972-7333

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SOURCE Perkins School for the Blind