Elevating and harmonizing the agency's voice as we seek to empower those we serve and advance anti-poverty, pro-migrant attitudes, policies, and funding streams.

Led outreach, partnership development, fundraising, and content development strategies for the Foundation’s newest initiative, DisasterReady.org, a free online training resource for humanitarians. Curated the initiative’s expert webinar series highlighting key trends and innovations in disaster preparedness and response. Authored two first-of-their-kind, interactive eLearning courses on humanitarian principles & standards designed to better prepare aid workers for the challenges they face in… Show more Led outreach, partnership development, fundraising, and content development strategies for the Foundation’s newest initiative, DisasterReady.org, a free online training resource for humanitarians. Curated the initiative’s expert webinar series highlighting key trends and innovations in disaster preparedness and response. Authored two first-of-their-kind, interactive eLearning courses on humanitarian principles & standards designed to better prepare aid workers for the challenges they face in the field. Show less

Advising HR&A on homelessness and affordable housing strategies as part of the organization's efforts to promote greater access to stable housing and economic opportunity in urban areas.

Providing research and consulting services to social service and philanthropic clients.

Guided Portland's largest provider of homeless services during a citywide state of emergency on homelessness. Led a nearly three-fold increase in revenue and staffing while launching new programming areas in innovative deeply affordable housing and street outreach. Substantially expanded the agency's visibility and fundraising in the Portland area, developed a deep and talented board of directors, and established myself as a credible and active commentator on homelessness causes and solutions… Show more Guided Portland's largest provider of homeless services during a citywide state of emergency on homelessness. Led a nearly three-fold increase in revenue and staffing while launching new programming areas in innovative deeply affordable housing and street outreach. Substantially expanded the agency's visibility and fundraising in the Portland area, developed a deep and talented board of directors, and established myself as a credible and active commentator on homelessness causes and solutions in media, corporate, and community discussions. Show less

Pursued special projects focused on organizational development and public relations for clients such as CARE, Mercy Corps, and Catholic Relief Services.

Established and led a new department designed to educate and mobilize domestic audiences in support of relief and development priorities. Successfully harmonized existing and new initiatives within the agency to build a well-informed cadre of Americans willing to take both personal and political action in the fight against global hunger, poverty, and instability. Directly managed the development, launch, and initial operations of two, first of their kind, interactive learning spaces - the Mercy… Show more Established and led a new department designed to educate and mobilize domestic audiences in support of relief and development priorities. Successfully harmonized existing and new initiatives within the agency to build a well-informed cadre of Americans willing to take both personal and political action in the fight against global hunger, poverty, and instability. Directly managed the development, launch, and initial operations of two, first of their kind, interactive learning spaces - the Mercy Corps Action Centers in New York City and Portland, Oregon. Oversaw the expansion and internationalization of the agency’s youth leadership development program, the Global Citizen Corps, which educates and equips young people in the US and the Middle East to tackle global challenges. Managed the agency’s DC-based advocacy and policy related efforts aimed at effectively influencing US government, UN, and major donor strategies. Actively participated in executive-level deliberations and decision making as a member of the agency’s Senior Leadership Team. Show less

Orchestrated the agency’s policy and advocacy related efforts worldwide. Established and managed the unit charged with ensuring that the agency maintains a strong, credible, and timely voice in foreign assistance policy and strategy discussions. Tracked and researched key issues of concern in relief and development operations and conveyed the agency’s perspective and experiences to relevant audiences, including various arms of the US government, the United Nations, peer agencies, military… Show more Orchestrated the agency’s policy and advocacy related efforts worldwide. Established and managed the unit charged with ensuring that the agency maintains a strong, credible, and timely voice in foreign assistance policy and strategy discussions. Tracked and researched key issues of concern in relief and development operations and conveyed the agency’s perspective and experiences to relevant audiences, including various arms of the US government, the United Nations, peer agencies, military forces, and the media. Represented the agency in numerous interagency initiatives aimed at promoting greater adherence to minimum standards of performance and accountability. Coordinated the agency’s public advocacy efforts through the education and mobilization of Mercy Corps supporters on priority foreign assistance issues. Served as the organization’s day-to-day liaison with military forces on matters pertaining to peacekeeping, humanitarian support, and occupation missions. Regularly visited Mercy Corps field operations to help formulate and advance policy positions on key regions. Show less

Served as both Country Director for Georgia and the Chief of Party for the Georgia Community Mobilization Initiative (GCMI). A multiyear, USAID-funded program, GCMI organized and empowered Georgian communities to collectively identify, advocate for, and pursue social and economic priorities at both local and national levels.

Directed the agency’s disaster preparedness and response efforts worldwide. Established and managed the organization’s Global Emergency Operations (GEO) team that spearheads the organization’s disaster preparedness, assessment, program design, and response activities. Developed program proposals for various donors, lead start up operations, and served as interim country director, as needed. Managed emergency related capacity building initiatives, including training on operational security… Show more Directed the agency’s disaster preparedness and response efforts worldwide. Established and managed the organization’s Global Emergency Operations (GEO) team that spearheads the organization’s disaster preparedness, assessment, program design, and response activities. Developed program proposals for various donors, lead start up operations, and served as interim country director, as needed. Managed emergency related capacity building initiatives, including training on operational security management and minimum standards in disaster response programming (Sphere). Promoted and monitored the development of innovative relief strategies that helped pave the way for longer-term assistance efforts. Built and maintained productive working relationships with various partner organizations, UN agencies, and US government offices, including USAID, BPRM, and DOD. Show less

Served as OFDA’s senior liaison to KFOR during the refugee crisis in Macedonia and the international community’s return to Kosovo (April through September 1999). Established effective lines of communication between humanitarian agencies, including USAID and various international NGOs, and NATO forces in the region, thus strengthening civil-military coordination on humanitarian support operations in both countries. Led the DART’s contingency planning efforts for additional refugee influxes into… Show more Served as OFDA’s senior liaison to KFOR during the refugee crisis in Macedonia and the international community’s return to Kosovo (April through September 1999). Established effective lines of communication between humanitarian agencies, including USAID and various international NGOs, and NATO forces in the region, thus strengthening civil-military coordination on humanitarian support operations in both countries. Led the DART’s contingency planning efforts for additional refugee influxes into Macedonia and for Kosovo return operations. As Field Officer/Peja Region, was responsible for all needs assessment, monitoring, and situation reporting for the western region of Kosovo (October 1999 through March 2000). Show less

Responsible for day-to-day management and oversight of the agency's multi-sector assistance portfolio, including emergency food, non-food, winterization, local capacity building, and agricultural support projects. Developed new assistance strategies, prepared proposals, and secured funding from a variety of donors. Liaised with UN agencies, government representatives, major donors, and other NGOs. Directed and supported the activities of the Mercy Corps offices in Peja, Skopje, Podgorica, and… Show more Responsible for day-to-day management and oversight of the agency's multi-sector assistance portfolio, including emergency food, non-food, winterization, local capacity building, and agricultural support projects. Developed new assistance strategies, prepared proposals, and secured funding from a variety of donors. Liaised with UN agencies, government representatives, major donors, and other NGOs. Directed and supported the activities of the Mercy Corps offices in Peja, Skopje, Podgorica, and Pristina. In cooperation with the Regional Representative, managed staff of more than 25 expatriate and national employees; recruited and oriented new staff members. Show less

Directed a network of NGO support offices located in BiH, Croatia, and Serbia. Orchestrated collaborative NGO initiatives on a wide range of issues, including national NGO development, legal reform, staff security, information sharing, and NGO relations with donors, host government authorities and peacekeeping forces. Served as a day-to-day representative of the NGO community in dealings with various governmental, international, and UN agencies. Developed and maintained NGO security warden… Show more Directed a network of NGO support offices located in BiH, Croatia, and Serbia. Orchestrated collaborative NGO initiatives on a wide range of issues, including national NGO development, legal reform, staff security, information sharing, and NGO relations with donors, host government authorities and peacekeeping forces. Served as a day-to-day representative of the NGO community in dealings with various governmental, international, and UN agencies. Developed and maintained NGO security warden systems and the ICVA identification card system used by all NGOs operating in BiH. Spearheaded successful negotiations with governmental authorities on the contentious issues of NGO registration and taxation requirements. Served as primary liaison for the NGO community to NATO forces. Successfully expanded the project and broadened its donor base despite the temporary closure of ICVA’s international headquarters. Show less

Served member agencies by promoting the efforts of the US NGO community and advocating change on policy and operational issues affecting overseas programs. Provided members with a framework for cooperation, joint planning, and information sharing on disaster relief issues. Served as a functional liaison with USAID/OFDA, the Departments of State and Defense, UN agencies, and other non-governmental consortia. Devoted special attention to improving NGO coordination mechanisms in disaster response… Show more Served member agencies by promoting the efforts of the US NGO community and advocating change on policy and operational issues affecting overseas programs. Provided members with a framework for cooperation, joint planning, and information sharing on disaster relief issues. Served as a functional liaison with USAID/OFDA, the Departments of State and Defense, UN agencies, and other non-governmental consortia. Devoted special attention to improving NGO coordination mechanisms in disaster response and on promoting greater cooperation between relief workers and peacekeeping forces. Show less

Developed an operational plan for the registration of Ethiopian refugees wishing to voluntarily repatriate. Devised and conducted a survey of more than 100,000 refugees in nearly a dozen camps to determine total number and destinations of prospective repatriates. Coordinated pre-registration efforts among UNHCR field staff and representatives of the governments of Ethiopia and Sudan. Organized and led UNHCR assessment missions to various refugee camps in Eastern Sudan.

Conducted interviews and prepared case files to document persecution histories of refugees applying to the US refugee resettlement program. Developed and implemented a counseling program to assist Ethiopian and Eritrean refugees denied admission to the US. Designed guidelines for a Motion to Reconsider appeal process offered to denied cases. Coordinated field missions to processing posts in Eastern Sudan.

Provided guidance on worldwide refugee processing procedures and issues to a network of over 140 domestic resettlement offices. Appraised staff of developments and changes in US government admissions policies. Researched, wrote, and edited the periodic newsletter "FLASH.” Served as the agency’s liaison between domestic resettlement offices and refugee processing posts, US embassies, and UNHCR offices worldwide.

As Operations Assistant in charge of arrivals, supervised the initial intake and assessment of all Vietnamese asylum seekers. Coordinated the transport of all new arrivals from their place of landfall on Palawan to camp. Conducted interviews of boat captains and group leaders and monitored assistance provided to all new arrivals while in quarantine. Represented IOM in dealings with other international organizations, various contractors, and several branches of the Philippine armed forces… Show more As Operations Assistant in charge of arrivals, supervised the initial intake and assessment of all Vietnamese asylum seekers. Coordinated the transport of all new arrivals from their place of landfall on Palawan to camp. Conducted interviews of boat captains and group leaders and monitored assistance provided to all new arrivals while in quarantine. Represented IOM in dealings with other international organizations, various contractors, and several branches of the Philippine armed forces. Managed and trained a volunteer force of sixteen. Show less