About Torrey Peace
I help humanitarian and development leaders lead well — without burning out.
I work with supervisors, managers, and people-leaders in the humanitarian and international development sector who want empowered teams, stronger performance, and sustainable impact — without working longer hours or carrying everything themselves.
My work helps leaders shift from being the bottleneck to becoming a clear, confident, and trusted leader — one who builds capability in others and creates space to think, lead, and breathe again.
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Why I Do This Work
Early in my career, I was working in Timor-Leste, supporting community development programs. Like many aid workers, I was deeply committed, stretched thin, and convinced that working harder was the only way to create impact.
It wasn’t.
I noticed that despite long hours and constant problem-solving, teams often became more dependent — not more capable. I was exhausted, and the work felt increasingly unsustainable.
That experience led me to leadership coaching — not as a “soft skill,” but as a practical leadership approach that fundamentally changed how I led.
When I changed how I showed up as a leader:
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My team took more ownership
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Decision-making improved
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My workload reduced
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And the quality of our work increased
That shift became the foundation of everything I now teach.
What “Modern Leadership” Means to Me
A modern humanitarian and development leader:
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Trusts their team and builds capability — not dependency
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Leads with clarity instead of control
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Creates psychological safety and accountability
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Focuses on impact and wellbeing
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Knows that how we lead matters as much as what we deliver
This philosophy underpins all my work — from individual coaching to organizational leadership development.
My Background
I’m a leadership coach, facilitator, and former development practitioner with over seven years of experience working alongside leaders in:
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Local NGOs
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INGOs
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UN agencies
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International development and humanitarian programs
Through Aid for Aid Workers, I’ve supported more than 400 leaders across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and beyond to adopt coaching-based leadership approaches that strengthen teams and reduce burnout.
I’m also the host of The Modern Humanitarian and Development Leader podcast, with over 5,000 downloads and a five star rating, where leaders reflect honestly on what it takes to lead well in today’s sector.
What Clients Say
“This course has significantly improved my work-life balance. Even better, it helped me prioritize more effectively and lead with clarity and confidence. My working hours have reduced, and my team is more engaged and proactive.”
— Lucy, Saha Global, Ghana
How You Can Work With Me
If you’re ready to move from overwhelm to intentional leadership, the best place to start is my flagship course:
Becoming the Modern Humanitarian and Development Leader
A six-week, practical leadership program built around the CLEAR Framework:
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Clarity – Align your leadership with what truly matters
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Let Go – Release habits that create dependency and overload
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Empower – Build confident, capable teams
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Alignment – Lead with values and purpose
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Resilience – Create sustainable leadership practices
A Little
About Me
I’m originally from the U.S. and currently based in West Africa, working globally across time zones. I care deeply about leadership that is human, ethical, and effective — and I believe leaders deserve support too.
When I’m not working, you’ll usually find me:
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Exploring new cities and cultures
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Spending time outdoors
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Thinking (and talking) about how leadership shapes lives and systems
