Leadership coaching for USAID staff

Meridian Institute is a mission-driven, nonprofit consultancy that works with diverse stakeholders to build understanding, guide collaboration, and drive action around challenging environmental and social issues.

Clients have included:PolicyMapBaltimore Office of Promotion & ArtsBlue Water BaltimoreGreen America's Center for Sustainability SolutionsFriends of the EarthLumpkin Family FoundationPlant Power Task ForceEarthjusticeMaryland Farmers Market AssociationAnne Arundel County Department of HealthAmerican College of Lifestyle MedicineHealthy Food ActionOrganic Farming and Research FoundationSustainable Agriculture and Food System Funders

Starting in 2018, managed selection of new Learning Community Time (LCT) facilitators, professional development and program continuity related to LCT and "Becoming a Learning Community" the first course in American University's Master in Organization Development Program (MSOD). Served as a facilitator for Learning Community Time (starting in 2016).

Directed the Public Health and Agriculture Policy Project at the Center for a Livable Future (CLF). Led a network of public health professionals interested in food systems. Led and participated in food, public health and agriculture coalitions. Liaised between CLF staff, Hopkins Governmental Affairs staff and local, state and federal policymakers and regulatory staff. Developed educational materials about the links between agriculture policy and human and environmental health. Developed and facilitated educational sessions for national conferences. Managed commissioned-research related to food/farm policy and health. Supervised research assistants and interns. Past duties included planning and coordinating CLF events.

Managed Creating Common Ground, a project of SAFSF, Grantmakers In Health and the Convergence Partnership to foster collaboration and learning among funders working at the food, agriculture and health nexus. Facilitated meetings, planned and coordinated virtual and in-person learning opportunities, represented the project at various meetings, and established structures for ongoing communication about the project for participants and potential participants.

Supervised interns and temporary staff. Conducted workshops on giving and receiving feedback for JSI staff. Served as liaison between JSI, UNICEF, and external consultants. Compiled data, planned team meetings, wrote consultant contracts, tracked budgets, arranged travel, and documented meeting proceedings. Provided technical assistance for an evaluation of a global UNICEF survey. Presented at meetings to the evaluation team and UNICEF.Intern, 01/2007 – 09/2007. Worked with Country Directors and other staff from JSI’s global projects to facilitate a project information fair for the bi-annual International Division meeting by serving as liaison between global project staff and meeting planners, managing the project fairs during the three-day meeting, and maintaining a database of projects and needs for the meeting. Assisted in writing of Monitor and Evaluation sections of proposals. Proofread project documents and proposal sections. Constructed a matrix of indicators used to evaluate JSI’s projects.