Tim Hanstad, Executive Director, is a native of the farm country of Washington State’s Skagit Valley. While a law student, he answered an ad for a research assistant from RDI founder, Roy Prosterman. Prosterman needed help at the then nascent RDI. Since then, Tim has led RDI’s growth in institutional strength and effectiveness. His life’s work on land reform is grounded in a deep faith and commitment to serving the world’s rural poor.

Tim has 16 years of research, consulting, writing, and project experience on land law, policy, and administration in both developing and transition economies. He also teaches at the University of Washington School of Law, where he co-directs a graduate program in Law of Sustainable International Development. His field experience includes 15 countries in Asia, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America. Since mid-2001, he has staffed RDI’s India field office, where he is spearheading RDI’s new India program.

Tim holds a J.D. (1988) and an LL.M. (1994) from the University of Washington School of Law, and B.A. from Seattle Pacific University (1985) in Political Science and History.

Curriculum Vitae