Provide operational, analytical and policy development support to World Bank clients, senior management and international partners in Latin America & the Caribbean and Africa in line with World Bank mission to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet. Lead high-level strategic policy dialogues with government officials on DRM, disaster risk financing, climate change adaptation (CCA) and urban resilience to enhance development impact on the ground. Recruit and lead task teams to design, implement and supervise multi-sectoral disaster recovery, resilience building and risk financing projects to enhance operational and development outcomes (e.g., three Colombia Development Policy Loans for $750 million, $150M Ecuador ERL, $54 Barbados ERL, etc.)  Promote operational quality and effectiveness by working with client governments and cross-GP Bank colleagues to strengthen implementing agencies, improve disbursement and restructure problem projects. Forge and develop strategic partnerships with key stakeholders—including the UN System, EU, DFID, USAID, IDB, IsDB, AfDB, ICRC and IFRC—to ensure donor coordination at the humanitarian-development nexus. Tailor solutions to development challenges in contexts of fragility, conflict and violence (Haiti, Venezuela, Somalia, Nigeria) and in small island development states (Barbados, Sint Maarten) by engaging government, civil society and international partners. Support government and international partners through analytical products: Country Climate & Development Reports (Colombia), Recovery & Peacebuilding Assessments, (Venezuela, North East Nigeria), and Post-Disaster Needs Assessments (Somalia, Malawi, Sint Maarten, Ecuador). Explore opportunities to mobilize private capital to achieve development outcomes through operations with financial intermediaries and Maximizing Financing for Development enabling initiatives. Acquire and operationalizing World Bank-executed trust fund grants.

Developed and taught graduate-level courses focusing on communication and project management (e.g., Communication and Collaboration for Managers), enhancing the skillsets of future development leaders.

Served on international humanitarian relief team as on-call responder to large-scale disasters.

Spearheaded ambitious effort to expand American Red Cross programs, presence and impact in the region. Within one year, doubled project budget and portfolio – including projects in a new country (Zambia) and a new sector (urban resilience) – and quadrupled organizational development efforts. Directed all operations in Southern Africa, including programs (community resilience, DRM, CCA, shelter, water, sanitation & hygiene, health and organizational development), financial management, strategic communications, HR and security. Led regional delegation to ensure coordination with partners (e.g., UN System, USAID, etc.), alignment with regional development priorities, and support to Red Cross societies in Namibia, Zimbabwe and Zambia Enhanced ARC profile and standing in the region through partner engagement/coordination and development of new communications materials via traditional and social media. Advocated for and coordinated disaster relief and early recovery support to ten countries in the region. Monitored impending and on-going disasters in Southern Africa, tracked and informed impact assessments and made response recommendations (as to scale, modality, support options, etc.) Worked with Red Cross societies to develop organizational development strategies to build their capacity to act as auxiliaries to government and to enhance response to humanitarian emergencies. Guided new business development and partnership engagement efforts, drafting new concept notes and fundraising proposals to engage NGOs, and corporate and development partners.

Directed day-to-day operations of American Red Cross (ARC) programs in 17 countries in the Americas, providing management, supervisory and technical support to staff, programs and partners to achieve regional objectives. Key areas of focus included disaster risk management, community resilience, health, disaster response & early recovery, water, sanitation & hygiene, and organizational development.

Led administration and operations of Emergency Services Department (annual budget of $2MM+). Directly engaged and managed 6,000 staff and volunteers for delivery of full range of Red Cross emergency services to five-county 1,700 square mile territory. Managed all readiness, preparedness, disaster risk reduction & youth programs to help region’s four million people prevent, prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters.

Led all overseas programs for global NGO implementing education programs in developing countries. Engaged multi-sectoral partners (community, government and NGOs) to build schools and establish adult literacy programs in eight countries on four continents, ensuring projects finished under budget and on schedule. Built more than 100 schools, improving education for tens of thousands of children around the world.

Represented international NGO in Bolivia and Mali to government officials, partner organizations and community representatives. Supervised school construction projects, managed field team, mobilized community for self-help effort and facilitated cross-cultural exchanges involving students in the U.S.

Established pioneering bilingual newspaper serving the sprawling Nairobi shantytown of Korogocho (population 150,000+) by recruiting local youth volunteers, training them in journalism skills, partnering with community agencies and guiding news process from story selection to publication and circulation.