Leading a team of 10 dedicated professionals to oversee the resettlement, integration, and empowerment of refugees in western Pennsylvania. In 2024, the team quadrupled the number of refugees we received--a larger number than other Pittsburgh agencies had received in several decades. Also represented Hello Neighbor in the community and strengthening our partnerships to enhance program effectiveness. Ensured strict adherence to donor expectations and compliance with federal contracts, providing… Show more Leading a team of 10 dedicated professionals to oversee the resettlement, integration, and empowerment of refugees in western Pennsylvania. In 2024, the team quadrupled the number of refugees we received--a larger number than other Pittsburgh agencies had received in several decades. Also represented Hello Neighbor in the community and strengthening our partnerships to enhance program effectiveness. Ensured strict adherence to donor expectations and compliance with federal contracts, providing refugee families with quality services during their first few months in the USA. Show less

Most recently served as country director in Ukraine, setting up new offices, leading large multinational teams, and launching programs in health, protection and emergency cash, and submitting successful proposals to institutional donors. Earlier assignments included training senior staff in humanitarian access and negotiation in Niger and Ethiopia.

Provided strategic and operational leadership for Relief International's portfolio of humanitarian and development programs supporting some of the world’s most vulnerable populations. Played a critical role in helping the organization provide high quality programs in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Managed Regional Directors, Humanitarian Response and Award Management teams and positioned the organization for success during a period of rapid growth to 2000 employees and $140 million in 16… Show more Provided strategic and operational leadership for Relief International's portfolio of humanitarian and development programs supporting some of the world’s most vulnerable populations. Played a critical role in helping the organization provide high quality programs in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Managed Regional Directors, Humanitarian Response and Award Management teams and positioned the organization for success during a period of rapid growth to 2000 employees and $140 million in 16 countries. Drove the overall strategy for the organization at the field level and represent RI nationally and internationally. Show less

Taught courses and lead student working groups related to humanitarian emergencies and disaster risk reduction at the University of Pittsburgh and overseas. Graduate students studied crises in Somalia, Rwanda, Afghanistan, Iraq, Sudan, Haiti, Pakistan, and Syria and gain a deeper understanding of the humanitarian "system", and the role of host governments, UN agencies, and NGOs in response, operational challenges in aid delivery, and best practice in policy advocacy, staffing, funding, and key… Show more Taught courses and lead student working groups related to humanitarian emergencies and disaster risk reduction at the University of Pittsburgh and overseas. Graduate students studied crises in Somalia, Rwanda, Afghanistan, Iraq, Sudan, Haiti, Pakistan, and Syria and gain a deeper understanding of the humanitarian "system", and the role of host governments, UN agencies, and NGOs in response, operational challenges in aid delivery, and best practice in policy advocacy, staffing, funding, and key programme areas. From August to December 2015, I also served as interim co-director of the Center for Disaster Management at the University of Pittsburgh. From February to May, 2016, I consulted for the Asia Disaster Preparedness Center and led a team of experts who delivered an intensive course in humanitarian response to Saudi Arabian Red Crescent staff. Show less

Led a team of fifty staff delivering WASH, Protection and cash transfer programming in the highly insecure Far North of the country. Three-month assignment involved expanding operations, recruiting longer-term staff, submitting new proposals to ECHO and OFDA and doubling the amount of funding, and raising awareness of the humanitarian crisis with key humanitarian actors in the region. Represented NGO community as permanent member of the HCT.

Led a multi-million dollar USAID-funded Ebola program as prime for a three-agency consortium in four prefectures. Responsible for managing all staff, overseeing program design, implementation and evaluation, identifying lessons learned, strengthening partnerships with NGOs and host government, securing new funding, and negotiating humanitarian space in an extremely complex context.

Responsible for planning and day-to-day management of an Ebola Treatment Center with 80 beds, 400 employees, also hosting an adjacent treatment center with 20 beds managed by the British Ministry of Defense. Key tasks included expanding ETC capacity to accept more patients as quickly and safely as possible, providing high quality and cost effective support services, solving problems and anticipating bottlenecks, developing policies and procedures, and maintaining staff morale and productivity… Show more Responsible for planning and day-to-day management of an Ebola Treatment Center with 80 beds, 400 employees, also hosting an adjacent treatment center with 20 beds managed by the British Ministry of Defense. Key tasks included expanding ETC capacity to accept more patients as quickly and safely as possible, providing high quality and cost effective support services, solving problems and anticipating bottlenecks, developing policies and procedures, and maintaining staff morale and productivity in the context of an international public health emergency. Show less

Coordinated more than 40 non-governmental organizations working in Haiti. Developed shared policy positions on humanitarian and reconstruction issues, highlighting practical solutions to the housing and cholera crises. Represented international humanitarian NGOs to the Government of Haiti, the United Nations, and donors. Elected by my colleagues as INGO representative to the CAED (Framework for Coordination of Foreign Aid), a government-led initiative to monitor and coordinate aid for… Show more Coordinated more than 40 non-governmental organizations working in Haiti. Developed shared policy positions on humanitarian and reconstruction issues, highlighting practical solutions to the housing and cholera crises. Represented international humanitarian NGOs to the Government of Haiti, the United Nations, and donors. Elected by my colleagues as INGO representative to the CAED (Framework for Coordination of Foreign Aid), a government-led initiative to monitor and coordinate aid for reconstruction and longer-term development. Show less

Provided leadership to an Oxfam International programme in Haiti focused on poverty eradication. Led the process of bringing the five different Oxfam affiliates under one single management structure, developed a shared vision and five-year strategic plan, represented Oxfam externally, expanding and improving the quality of Oxfam's policy and advocacy initiatives, created and managed teams, and coordinated work in response to specific humanitarian emergencies..

Worked closely with government and non-governmental managers to improve access of vulnerable groups to humanitarian aid after 2010 and 2011 floods. Created and trained government-NGO working groups in 14 districts to monitor and respond to specific protection concerns. Designed and conducted a survey (850 households) in Sindh Province to evaluate a $500 million program of cash compensation for flood-affectees. Findings used by the World Bank and government officials to make improvements. Work… Show more Worked closely with government and non-governmental managers to improve access of vulnerable groups to humanitarian aid after 2010 and 2011 floods. Created and trained government-NGO working groups in 14 districts to monitor and respond to specific protection concerns. Designed and conducted a survey (850 households) in Sindh Province to evaluate a $500 million program of cash compensation for flood-affectees. Findings used by the World Bank and government officials to make improvements. Work divided into two separate assignments from Nov. 2010 to Feb, 2011, and Oct. to Dec 2011. Show less

Responsible for overall supervision of a large scale program with 1000 staff and an annual budget of $70 million and managing a transition from the emergency phase to longer-term reconstruction. Provided guidance and supervision to four different field offices and a multifaceted logistics operation involved in procurement, storage, and delivery of food, medicines, and building materials. Consolidated program, introduced systems and reduced costs.

Created a new non-profit providing social services to people from over 110 different countries living in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Worked closely with community leaders around Pittsburgh, conducted fundraising activities, supervised a dynamic, multiculturalvolunteer network, served on intergovernmental committees, and designed new programs.

Set up a large-scale operation to distribute food and shelter materials and provide medical and other support to tens of thousands of Haitians living near the epicenter of the January earthquake. Supervised 10 international staff, 80 Haitian staff, and served as representative in negotiations with the Canadian military, United Nations (OCHA and MINUSTAH), and local authorities.

Recruiting, guiding, and supervising 250+ volunteers speaking 15+ different languages, supporting 12 hotels and the downtown Welcome Center.

Set up a new policy department for one of the world’s largest relief and development agencies.Oversaw fourfold growth of staff and budget as program expanded to 6 different cities in the United States and overseas. Managed CARE’s policy agenda vis-à-vis the US government. Supervised policy analysis, advocacy messages, and lobbying strategies on Capitol Hill. Played a leadership role in forging a common policy agenda for a large international federation. Developed ground-breaking “how-to”… Show more Set up a new policy department for one of the world’s largest relief and development agencies.Oversaw fourfold growth of staff and budget as program expanded to 6 different cities in the United States and overseas. Managed CARE’s policy agenda vis-à-vis the US government. Supervised policy analysis, advocacy messages, and lobbying strategies on Capitol Hill. Played a leadership role in forging a common policy agenda for a large international federation. Developed ground-breaking “how-to” manual on policy advocacy for program managers. Oversaw training of 600 staff over three years. Served as spokesperson to major media. Show less