Ginna Brelsford Email & Phone Number

My passion is international development through education, diplomacy, impact philanthropy and corporate social responsibility programs. I bring over 30 years of experience in government, business and the non-profit world to my commitment to gender equality, women’s empowerment and access to education for girls in emerging economies, Russia and Afghanistan.During my tenure working with girls education in Afghanistan, I served as the key U.S. non profit executive managing the construction of the Gawhar Khatoon Girls School which opened in July 2015 for 3,500 girls. A feat of design innovation, the school has received numerous awards. The rebuilding of Gawhar Khatoon used principals of global development and sustainable design in collaboration with noteworthy architects from the University of Washington School of Architecture and Miller Hull in Seattle. My work also enabled me to work with an early marriage prevention program that includes significant work with global mental health and trauma issues as well as a new program for men that also addresses these issue including gender roles. Throughout my career, I have brokered public and private sector partnerships related to girls' and womens' issues in Africa, Russia and Latin America. I discovered the power of microfinance five years ago while working on entrepreneurial leadership development. I have raised funds for international development organizations, mainly in Latin America and Africa, and have served as executive director of a social innovation coffee company.My lifelong drive towards "social impact" and philanthropy informed my studies at Brown, Stanford and Tufts. Beginning in the late 80s, I helped open the back door between Russia and the U.S. West Coast. A unique experience with the border opening was that I skied across the Arctic (with film gear) on the first cross-cultural Soviet/American Polar Expedition Team. I’ve also authored a book on Alaska women leaders and toured with Bono for the HIV/AIDS One Campaign at World Vision. In my semi retirement, I volunteer for refugee causes, serve as a collaborator with international cultural change organizations and I continue to seek avenues to empower girls to reach their highest potentials. Specialties: Fundraising, International Development, Diplomacy, Gender Issues, Education, International Marketing, Microfinance, Women’s Health, Entrepreneurial Leadership Development

Listed skills include International Development, Fundraising, Nonprofits, Strategy, and 32 others.