Nick Allardice

Nick Allardice is President and CEO of GiveDirectly, the nonprofit pioneering the use of technology to deliver unconditional cash transfers directly to people living in extreme poverty. Under his leadership, GiveDirectly has expanded one of the world's most innovative approaches to poverty alleviation, delivering more than $1 billion in direct cash assistance while helping establish cash transfers as one of the most impactful, efficient, and scalable interventions for reducing global poverty through rigorous academic research.

A mission-driven entrepreneur and technology executive, Allardice has built his career at the intersection of global health, poverty reduction, technology, and democracy. He is passionate about partnering with ambitious organizations and pragmatic idealists who are committed to creating meaningful social change. His expertise spans organizational leadership, product development, technology innovation, public policy, fundraising, and mobilizing resources at scale to address some of the world's most pressing challenges.

Before joining GiveDirectly, Allardice led initiatives focused on combating lead poisoning in low- and middle-income countries, expanding access to healthcare through artificial intelligence, strengthening government capacity to navigate the opportunities and risks of emerging technologies, and advising social impact and human rights organizations on strategy, technology, fundraising, and organizational growth.

Previously, Allardice served as CEO of Change.org, the world's largest technology platform for civic action and grassroots organizing. During more than a decade with the organization, he helped build its technology and user experience, expanded its global presence to 20 countries, and played a key role in establishing Change.org as the world's largest nonprofit-owned technology company dedicated to social impact, serving more than 500 million users worldwide.

An accomplished social entrepreneur, Allardice co-founded the global fundraising and awareness campaign Live Below the Line and has served as an advisor or board member for organizations including Make Poverty History, the Horizon Institute for Public Service, OzGreen, and PL+US. Throughout his career, he has led campaigns supporting democracy, global health, and climate action across the United States, Asia, and Australia.

A sought-after speaker, Allardice shares insights on entrepreneurship, product innovation, artificial intelligence, and social impact at leading universities, conferences, and industry forums around the world. His presentations have included engagements at the University of Oxford, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, the University of Melbourne, Reforge, Products That Count, Personal Democracy Forum, and RightsCon.

Allardice studied law at Monash University and also pursued studies in philosophy and political science. He has furthered his education through programs at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and the Harvard Kennedy School. His leadership has earned widespread recognition, including being named among TIME magazine's TIME100 Philanthropy (2025) and TIME100 Health (2026), selected as a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, and recognized by The Age as one of Melbourne's 100 most influential people.

Originally from rural Australia, Allardice has lived and worked across Australia, Asia, and the United States, including in Melbourne, Sydney, Bangkok, New Delhi, Jakarta, San Francisco, and New York City. Outside of his professional work, he enjoys running, reading, spending time with friends, and exploring the role of community and relationships in creating lasting social impact.