Obituary: Tony Kalm, globe-trotting social entrepreneur who led the One Acre Fund

 WASHINGTON – Tony Kalm, who has died at age 58, led a constellation of anti-poverty initiatives including overseeing the One Acre Fund that helped millions  of smallholder farmers improve their livelihoods across rural Africa. Kalm later managed global food security and human health programs as Deputy Head of CGIAR.

 At the heart of his work was his deep belief in the talents and abilities of people living in poverty best to lead initiatives in their communities.

 Tony was also instrumental in the creation of the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, a global security storage facility designed to house duplicates of seeds conserved in gene banks all over the world to ensure the world’s future food supply would survive any disasters.

 He was named Social Entrepreneur of the Year by the Schwab Foundation at the World Economic Forum in 2013 for his leadership at the One Acre Fund.

 A visionary, he was a guest speaker at many international conferences, including the UN General Assembly and the World Economic Forum where he shared innovative initiatives and sustainable solutions aimed at empowering communities and ultimately ending dependence on aid.

 In 2020, Tony founded Youth Power Ventures, a renewable energy company that places social impact at the heart of its business operations by generating dignified livelihoods for youth and rural communities. 

The son of a former refugee who dedicated her life to serving the world’s most vulnerable at the World Health Organization and a WWII veteran who later became a respected artist and educator, Tony inherited his parent's passion for service.  Like them, he carried himself with warmth, humility, and genuine care for others. He cared deeply about justice and equality, and firmly believed that treating people with respect and dignity is essential to peace and prosperity.

 Tony earned a B.A. in English at Cornell University and a Master’s in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University. He later continued his executive education at Harvard Business School and INSEAD. 

 He began his professional path as a Peace Corps volunteer, gaining first-hand experience working directly with vulnerable communities.

Tony was an avid clarinet player and runner, completing dozens of marathons across the United States and around the world. He spoke French, Italian and German. He cherished the diversity of the world, embracing new cultures, languages and perspectives wherever he went.

 His passion for exploration took him to more than 120 countries, from motorcycle expeditions through Europe to adventures along the treacherous Karakoram Highway.

 Above all, Tony treasured his family and friends. They were at the centre of his life, and  everyone who knew Tony knew that he had the biggest heart, extraordinary generosity and kindness.

 A big man with a gift for friendship, while living in Italy, he developed a deep appreciation for the country and built lifelong friendships that continue to this day. He was always eager to help his friends and support their dreams.

 At home, some of his greatest joys were teaching his sons to play the clarinet, sharing favorite movies, and playing board games. Tony also found  joy in supporting his sons' athletic aspirations, spending countless hours driving them to soccer and basketball practices and games every weekend, even flying across the nation with his sons, embracing every aspect of the sports his sons loved.

 He is survived by his wife and three sons in Washington, his older brother and his family in Chicago, friends and family all over the globe.

 Antony William Kalm, social entrepreneur. Born May 4, 1968.

 He died after a long illness May 25, 2026, in Washington, DC.

 A private celebration of his life will be held at a later date.

 jp