Sean Rafter

Managing Director, HELP Logistics by Kühne Foundation

Operations Director, CHORD – Center for Humanitarian Logistics and Regional Development

Seán Rafter is a senior leader in humanitarian logistics and supply chain strategy, with over 35 years of cross-sector experience spanning engineering, technology, and international development. As Managing Director of HELP Logistics, a program of the Kühne Foundation, he oversees global programs that strengthen supply chain performance and resilience across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.

Seán also serves as Operations Director of CHORD—a joint center of HELP Logistics and Kühne Logistics University—where he leads the implementation of applied research, education, and advisory services that drive regional development outcomes.

He holds an MBA in Leadership and Supply Chain Management from Kühne Logistics University and combines technical depth with strategic foresight. His leadership includes large-scale emergency response, digital ecosystem design, and public-private partnerships that embed localization and capacity building into suppply chain systems.

A vocal advocate for shifting power to the frontlines, Seán collaborates with governments, UN agencies, and NGOs to co-create inclusive supply chain models. His leadership ensures that CHORD’s research is translated into measurable, high-impact solutions on the ground.

Sean Rafter

Managing Director, HELP Logistics by Kühne Foundation; Operations Director, CHORD

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