Angi Yoder-Maina, Ph.D. Email & Phone Number

Tallahassee, Florida, United States

Passionate Director at FSU's Resilience Institute for Strength and Empowerment (RISE) | Transforming workplaces through trauma-informed and healing-centered approaches | Committed to fostering resilience and positive change | Let's connect and drive impact together.

Nairobi, Kenya

In the last few months, in partnership with the new Somali-UK fintech company Onkout, we began exploring integrating the social healing programming into the new fintech App. We have developed virtual 12-week peer-support savings groups within the fintech platform. A lot of mental health tech is around information and is run by artificial intelligence (AI) and bots. The innovation will have peer-facilitators who would be helping build digital communities of connection and taking the support of community-care virtual. The goal is to connect microeconomic gains to tangible improvements in livelihoods and issues of wellbeing and collective social healing. We hope to launch in Kenya and Somalia on the App in the coming six months with a special focus on working with people from environments dealing with conflict and environmental challanges.https://sites.google.com/green-string.org/wellbeingandfintech/home

Nairobi, Kenya

As the Executive Director of Green String Network (GSN), I have led the development and implementation of the contextualized Wellbeing and Resiliency (WebR) Framework and peer-support healing circle methodology in Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia, and South Sudan, using the healing-centered peacebuilding approach. GSN sits in a unique space that combines global mental health, peacebuilding, and governance practices. Our innovative approach has resulted in positive outcomes, including increased community engagement and resilience, reduced violence and trauma, and improved mental health and well-being.In addition to my work in program design and implementation, I also provide leadership and management to ensure ongoing program excellence and effective fundraising and communications. I actively engage and energize GSN volunteers, board members, network partner organizations, and funders to support our mission of building a more peaceful and just world.I work closely with our board of directors to seek and build board involvement with strategic direction for both ongoing local operations as well as for regional expansion. I lead, coach, develop, and ensure effective systems to track scaling progress, regularly evaluating program components to measure successes.To support our continued growth, I focus on expanding revenue-generating and fundraising activities, deepening and refining all aspects of our communications, and using our external presence and relationships to garner new opportunities. I also plan and develop new business strategies to expand our program into new markets, building partnerships and establishing relationships with funders, and political and community leaders.Through my leadership and expertise, GSN continues to facilitate positive outcomes, including enhanced community engagement and increased social cohesion. Let's connect and explore how we can build a more peaceful and just world, one that centers healing and well-being for all.

As a Healing Centered Peacebuilding Practitioner, I provide short-term, long-term, and spread consultancies to a variety of organizations, including AECOM, Catalyst for Peace, Fambul Tok International, Conflict Dynamics International (CDI) - Somalia Office, SaferWorld, Pact, SOYDEN, Ministry of Interior, Federal Affairs and Reconciliation - Somalia, Vice President's Office Sierra Leone, Office of the Prime Minister - Stabilization Support Unit (SSU), Global Emergency Group, World Bank, Catholic Relief Services, and more. With my expertise in healing-centered peacebuilding, I work closely with these organizations to develop and implement strategies that promote positive outcomes, such as increased community engagement, enhanced mental health, and improved peacebuilding and governance practices. Let's connect and explore how we can collaborate on healing-centered peacebuilding initiatives to create a better world.

Nairobi, Kenya

As the Program Manager for the Transition Initiative for Stabilization (TIS) at USAID Somalia, I played a critical role in designing USAID's key stabilization program. Through continuous listening to Somali voices, I gained a deeper understanding of what stabilization meant practically in the Somali context and how to make it tangible for both communities and leaders. The TIS program design was developed with a healing-centered approach to peacebuilding, resulting in positive outcomes such as improved governance practices and community engagement.In addition to program design, I provided day-to-day programmatic, operational, and strategic guidance to USAID's implementing partners DAI, IOM, and Eco Tech, ensuring that activities contributed to USG objectives in Somalia. I also analyzed and reported on project progress, identified constraints and resource deficiencies, and recommended corrective action. As part of my role, I supervised the preparation by implementing partners of annual and other periodic work plans, monitored and evaluated progress according to the PMP, and documented and applied lessons learned in order to improve programming. I also served as USAID's primary liaison on stabilization programming with USG personnel, senior diplomats, government officials, UN organizations, and indigenous and international NGOs. Through my coordination efforts, I identified the widest range of potential partners and opportunities, and maintained collaborative relationships with them to ensure close coordination at the field level.In addition, I regularly briefed the US Embassy, USAID, and partner staff on potential programmatic impact. I also coordinated closely with other USAID/Somalia programs to ensure linkages between recovery initiatives, humanitarian relief, and longer-term development. Through my leadership and expertise, we facilitated positive outcomes, including enhanced community engagement, improved governance practices, and increased social cohesion

Nairobi, Kenya

As the Chief of Party for the Peace in East and Central Africa (PEACE II) project at Pact, Inc, I am responsible for managing a cross-border, multi-year project with a budget of $15 million USD. This involves coordinating and integrating activities in four countries, namely Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia, and Uganda. Through my expertise in peacebuilding, I have adapted the program design to meet the unique needs and contexts of each country. Additionally, I have established and maintained a close partnership with USAID East Africa, ensuring that the project is aligned with broader regional and national peacebuilding initiatives. Our work in the region has resulted in positive outcomes, including improved community engagement and resilience, enhanced governance practices, and reduced violence and trauma. As a practitioner of healing-centered peacebuilding, I am committed to working collaboratively with local communities and partners to promote sustainable peace and wellbeing in the region.

Nairobi, Kenya

As the South Sudan Field Representative for the USAID Office of Transition Initiative (OTI), I managed OTI's Southern Sudan program, which was approximately $35 million in size, along with its four implementing partners. In addition, I was responsible for overseeing a local government and community small grants program that executed over 480 small grants for community rehabilitation projects, valued at $27 million. Through my experience in peacebuilding, I was able to facilitate positive outcomes, including improved governance practices and community engagement. As a practitioner of healing-centered peacebuilding, I am committed to working collaboratively with local communities and partners to promote sustainable peace and wellbeing in the region.

Monrovia, Freetown

As a Program Manager for the Liberian Transition Initiative (LTI) at the USAID Office of Transition Initiative (OTI), I provided technical assistance to the program design, annual strategic framework, and implementation strategies. Through my experience in peacebuilding, I supported the development and implementation of the small grants program, which focused on youth leadership and community-focused reintegration. This initiative enabled positive outcomes, including improved community engagement and resilience, enhanced governance practices, and reduced violence and trauma.

Kailahun, Sierra Leone

As the Field Coordinator for the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in post-war Kailahun District, Sierra Leone, I was responsible for guiding the day-to-day program administration of a $3.7 million community recovery and reintegration project. Our goal was to raise awareness of gender-based violence and torture issues, while also providing access to quality mental healthcare. Our approach aimed to address not only the psychosocial needs of survivors, but also their economic needs, helping them to rebuild their lives and sustainably reintegrate into their communities. Through my experience in healing-centered peacebuilding, I facilitated positive outcomes, including increased community engagement, enhanced mental health and wellbeing, and improved governance practices. Let's connect and explore how we can build a more peaceful and just world, one that centers healing and wellbeing for all.

Gjilan, District Of Gjilan, Kosovo

As a Community Development Specialist for the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Kosovo's Kamanica and Novo Burdo Counties, I oversaw the day-to-day management of a $2.5 million USAID funded-program, ensuring that resources were committed and utilized in accordance with grant goals, objectives, budgets, work plans, and timelines. Additionally, I oversaw the implementation of participatory-based programming, working closely with staff to improve program partners' ability to prioritize their needs and encourage broad-based participation during project identification, design, implementation, and evaluation.In addition, I administered, committed, monitored, and tracked expenditures for over 120 community grants, ranging from $250 to $50,000, totaling $1.5 million. Through my experience in peacebuilding, I also developed materials that provided community members with timely and accurate information regarding new local government structures and their rights and responsibilities.As part of my role, I was responsible for program monitoring, evaluating, and reporting on activities in preparation for donor reports. Additionally, I provided direct supervision, including recruiting, training, supervising, and evaluating bi-annually, to 12 national field staff members. Through my leadership and expertise, we facilitated positive outcomes, including enhanced community engagement, improved governance practices, and increased social cohesion. Let's connect and explore how we can build a more peaceful and just world, one that centers healing and wellbeing for all.

Pristina, Regjioni I Prishtinës, Kosovo

As the Grants Manager for the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Kosovo, I played a vital role in coordinating program sector coordinators to develop project proposals and editing them for final submission to donors. Through my collaboration with the finance department, I formulated project proposal budgets, extensions, and modifications. Additionally, I monitored donors' reporting requirements and reporting schedules for a grants portfolio of over $20 million, including grants from EU (ECHO, EC), UN (WHO, UN Trust Fund, UNHCR, UNICEF), DFID, SV, and US government (USAID, BPRM, OFDA).As a skilled writer, I also put together public relations packages that highlighted the IRC's mission, goals, and programming for press, board members, and potential donors. Through my experience in grants management and peacebuilding, we facilitated positive outcomes, including enhanced community engagement, improved governance practices, and increased social cohesion. Let's connect and explore how we can build a more peaceful and just world, one that centers healing and wellbeing for all.

Berlin, Germany

• Program Coordinator/Grant Writer. südost Europa Kultur e.V. Berlin, Germany. January 1999 – March 2000. 40 hours a week. Supervisor: Bosiljka Schedlich, • Coordinated the Center’s psychosocial programming with over 35 professional psychologists as volunteers, serving 500 Bosnia and Kosovar refugee families. Drafted two major grants for over 3 million Euros, which were submitted and funded by the European Commission. Facilitated professional development workshops for südost’s 12 Bosnia field office employees, focusing on internal evaluation methods and organizational development.Researcher. Ausländerbeauftragten des Berliner Senats: The Bosnian Repatriation Department. Berlin, Germany. June – December 1998. 40 hours a week. Supervisor: Dr. Robin Schneider • Formulated and implemented a published study entitled: "Traumatized in Berlin: What are the Policy Options for Policy-makers?"

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

Research Assistant for the following three projects: Community Outreach Partnership Center Grant – Oversaw and evaluated the effectiveness of the conflict resolution program for youth involved in gangs and gang-related activities. Democracy in Eastern Europe Reviewed literature on democracy movements in Eastern Europe. Conflict Resolution Curriculum Development Developed and led Conflict Resolution workshops for six local high school groups. Trained fellow graduate students in facilitation methods. Teaching Assistant for Sociological Methods 201 and Social, Economic, and Political Structures 201.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

Provided participatory educational programs for 'at risk' youth (ages 5-18) in 2 public schools, 2 community centers, and a community summer day camp. Supervised four culturally diverse teams aimed at youth violence prevention and reduction programming. Advocated area youth concerns to school, church and community leaders.

Doctoral Of Applied Conflict Transformation, Faculty Of Social Sciences And International Relations

The dissertation title: “A Healing-Centred Peacebuilding Approach: A Grounded Theory using a Trauma-Informed Lens". The ACTS Ph.D. Program.

Master Of Arts - Ma, Public And Social Policy With A Certificate In Peace Studies And Conflict Resolution, 3.970 Gpa

Bachelor Of Arts - Ba, Poltical Science And Peace Studies, 3.477 Gpa