Nikolas Sorensen Email & Phone Number

Chapel Hill, Nc, Us

United States

Designed and led a multi-year research project into integrated WASH programming across the humanitarian-development nexus, looking specifically at the impact of climate change, COVID-19, and conflict. Published insights in three books. Achievements include: • Conducted comprehensive research on the intersection of WASH within the humanitarian-development nexus, focusing on COVID-19, conflict, and climate change, and synthesized findings into actionable insights that influenced policy and… Show more Designed and led a multi-year research project into integrated WASH programming across the humanitarian-development nexus, looking specifically at the impact of climate change, COVID-19, and conflict. Published insights in three books. Achievements include: • Conducted comprehensive research on the intersection of WASH within the humanitarian-development nexus, focusing on COVID-19, conflict, and climate change, and synthesized findings into actionable insights that influenced policy and program development.• Authored and published three acclaimed books, providing thought leadership on WASH solutions during crises and advancing the field's understanding of sustainable practices.• Conducted over 50 qualitative interviews with leading humanitarian and development practitioners, gathering valuable insights that informed best practices and identified key areas for improvement.• Researched, developed, and published multiple case studies that highlighted innovative approaches and validated successful strategies, contributing to the enhancement of WASH interventions globally. Show less

Washington Dc-Baltimore Area

Led integration of WASH programs across emergency and development contexts, developed key performance indicators and collaborated on scalable, sustainable solutions. Published insights on innovative WASH approach. Achievements include:• Authored and published an article, "The New Reality: Perspectives on Future Integrated WASH," focusing on innovative approaches to integrate WASH programs, facilitating smooth transitions from short-term emergency response to long-term sustainable… Show more Led integration of WASH programs across emergency and development contexts, developed key performance indicators and collaborated on scalable, sustainable solutions. Published insights on innovative WASH approach. Achievements include:• Authored and published an article, "The New Reality: Perspectives on Future Integrated WASH," focusing on innovative approaches to integrate WASH programs, facilitating smooth transitions from short-term emergency response to long-term sustainable development initiatives.• Developed comprehensive WASH indicators that tracked and evaluated program effectiveness across both humanitarian and development cycles, ensuring data-driven decisions that enhanced program impact.• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to design strategies that improved the scalability and sustainability of WASH interventions, directly contributing to improved water, sanitation, and hygiene conditions in vulnerable communities.• Successfully increased program efficiency through the introduction of evidence-based indicators, ensuring the alignment of WASH activities with broader humanitarian goals. Show less

Myanmar

Responsible for developing and implementing Youth Economic Empowerment workshops, including managing evaluation processes to enhance program effectiveness and support youth in humanitarian contexts. Achievements include:• Developed and piloted a Youth Economic Empowerment workshop, significantly enhancing employability for youth affected by the humanitarian crisis in Rakhine State, Myanmar.• Successfully implemented two workshops targeting Rohingya and local Rakhine youth, improving… Show more Responsible for developing and implementing Youth Economic Empowerment workshops, including managing evaluation processes to enhance program effectiveness and support youth in humanitarian contexts. Achievements include:• Developed and piloted a Youth Economic Empowerment workshop, significantly enhancing employability for youth affected by the humanitarian crisis in Rakhine State, Myanmar.• Successfully implemented two workshops targeting Rohingya and local Rakhine youth, improving employment outcomes and providing critical skills training.• Led comprehensive monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) processes using surveys, focus group discussions (FDG), and key informant interviews (KIIs), resulting in actionable insights that refined program delivery and effectiveness.• Increased youth employability by developing targeted workshops tailored to the unique needs of crisis-affected communities, directly enhancing job market competitiveness for Rohingya and Rakhine youth. Show less

Cambodia

Responsible for developing and delivering business accelerator training consulting with local female entrepreneurs to strengthen their business models and improve their market strategies. Achievements include:• Developed and delivered 72 hours of comprehensive lesson plans for a 9-day business accelerator workshop, leading to a notable $93,000 increase in combined monthly revenues across 13 businesses.• Spearheaded the creation of 17 new jobs through targeted business training and… Show more Responsible for developing and delivering business accelerator training consulting with local female entrepreneurs to strengthen their business models and improve their market strategies. Achievements include:• Developed and delivered 72 hours of comprehensive lesson plans for a 9-day business accelerator workshop, leading to a notable $93,000 increase in combined monthly revenues across 13 businesses.• Spearheaded the creation of 17 new jobs through targeted business training and development, directly impacting local economic growth.• Provided tailored consultation to local female entrepreneurs, significantly strengthening their business models and strategies, resulting in more robust and sustainable enterprises.• Enhanced the confidence of entrepreneurs in their business plans, leading to increased investor interest and improved business performance. Show less

Washington Dc-Baltimore Area

Responsible for developing governance decentralization proposals and designing a Theory of Change and Logframe aligned with USAID budgets. Achievements include:• Developed a comprehensive proposal for decentralizing democracy and governance in Cambodia, contributing to strategic planning and program design with the Center of Excellence on Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance.• Successfully designed and contextualized a Theory of Change, enhancing the clarity and effectiveness of… Show more Responsible for developing governance decentralization proposals and designing a Theory of Change and Logframe aligned with USAID budgets. Achievements include:• Developed a comprehensive proposal for decentralizing democracy and governance in Cambodia, contributing to strategic planning and program design with the Center of Excellence on Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance.• Successfully designed and contextualized a Theory of Change, enhancing the clarity and effectiveness of program objectives and outcomes.• Created a detailed Logframe and program timeline, ensuring alignment with USAID budgets and improving project execution efficiency. Show less

Logan Utah

Responsible for managing medical care and medication, mediating academic issues, implementing support strategies to boost student performance, and representing the organization in legal matters. Achievements include:• Worked closely with doctors and acted as the state-appointed guardian for clients, overseeing medical-related decisions and administering daily medication, which contributed to improved overall health and compliance with treatment plans.• Mediated effectively between… Show more Responsible for managing medical care and medication, mediating academic issues, implementing support strategies to boost student performance, and representing the organization in legal matters. Achievements include:• Worked closely with doctors and acted as the state-appointed guardian for clients, overseeing medical-related decisions and administering daily medication, which contributed to improved overall health and compliance with treatment plans.• Mediated effectively between teachers and students to resolve academic issues, leading to historic results where each client passed all their classes each semester and three clients successfully graduated from high school.• Implemented tailored support strategies that significantly improved students' academic performance, including personalized tutoring and advocacy, contributing to exceptional academic achievements.• Represented Youthtrack-Utah in court sessions, working professionally with clients' lawyers and judges, ensuring the organization's interests were effectively communicated and legal processes were smoothly managed. Show less

Logan Utah

• Translated correspondence between the Shingo Institute and Chinese companies• Evaluated 30 Shingo award-winning businesses to discover cost-saving best practices in businesses

Logan Utah

• Taught daily livelihood skills lessons, increasing client’s resilience, and future employability• Mediated between teachers and students to maintain good academic performance and achieved first-time historic results with each client passing all their classes each semester and three clients graduating from High School• Maintained a structured schedule and assured that all clients were on time to appointments• Represented Youthtrack-Utah in court sessions, professionally interacting… Show more • Taught daily livelihood skills lessons, increasing client’s resilience, and future employability• Mediated between teachers and students to maintain good academic performance and achieved first-time historic results with each client passing all their classes each semester and three clients graduating from High School• Maintained a structured schedule and assured that all clients were on time to appointments• Represented Youthtrack-Utah in court sessions, professionally interacting with clients’ lawyers and judges Show less

Provo, Utah Area

• Created and implemented lesson plans• Worked with the professor to improve classroom instruction to students needs• Met with students during office hours to discuss students' work• Edited and gave constructive feedback for students' work

Provo, Utah Area

• Qualitative research coding and analysis• Critical thinking of implications of survey data• Proofread academic papers in preparation for publication

Provo, Utah Area

• Oversaw day to day landscape maintenance of a 52 acre property, managing 10-15 Grounds Crew employees • Made a change management plan and successfully oversaw the merger of cross department duties• Motivated students through conflict resolution and increased goal adoption by taking the lead on initiatives

Master Of Arts - Ma, International Development Studies, 3.81 Gpa

Activities and Societies: Student Representative on the International Development Studies Program Committee

Master Of Business Administration (M.B.A.), Strategic Business Development And Venturing, 3.72 Gpa

Activities and Societies: MBAA, Shingo Institute • Focus on Accelerating Entrepreneurial Growth

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), History And Mandarin Chinese, 3.45 Gpa

Activities and Societies: Phi Alpha Theta Honors Society, Chinese Club • Double Major in History and Mandarin Chinese