Sara Lightner Email & Phone Number

Shelburne, Vermont, United States

Shelburne, Vermont

Design Community Heart & Soul training curriculum to assist communities across the United States in successful completion of the Community Heart & Soul method.Design Community Heart & Soul training continuum and create tools to complement the four phases of the process. Facilitate Community Heart & Soul workshops and training for Heart & Soul coaches, community project coordinators, and Community Heart & Soul teams. Design Community Heart & Soul Coach Program and tools for monitoring, evaluating, and mentoring Heart & Soul coaches.

Eastern Caribbean

As the Director of a seven-person Programming and Training team, manage programs and direct training programs in the Youth Development and Education sectors for 65 American volunteers across four countries in the Eastern Caribbean (Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines). Supervised diverse teams (6-11 members) to successfully implement complex programming in youth development, education and economic development/small business. Managed USAID small project assistance (SPA) funds in primary education and workforce development. Forged strong relationships with partners and created opportunities for collaboration at the national, provincial and community levels. Liaised with other in-country organizations to harmonize programming efforts among international organizations, NGOs, CBOs, and other government agencies. Maintained an excellent working knowledge of the political, economic and social landscape in country through in-country contacts.Led Programming and Training team through the process of creating new project frameworks (six-year project cycle) in two different country settings, integrating priorities and feedback from host country stakeholders. Developed M and E strategy for framework, including country-specific output and outcome indicators. Developed and managed budgets for two-year training continuum to support project rollout. Wrote statements of work and hired PSCs to implement new project plans in the field. Created and implemented new guiding documents and systems to ensure clear and consistent policies and procedures for performance evaluation of Programming and Training staff. Created new staff positions to address shifting staff needs in Programming and Training.

Port Vila, Vanuatu

As the Director of a six- to eleven- person Programming and Training team, managed programs and directed training programs in Education, Health, and Business sectors for 70 American volunteers across 20 islands. During six months as Acting Country Director (August 2011-January 2012), revised Country Agreement and worked with Ministry of Foreign Affairs for approval by Government. Fostered a productive and positive relationship with the Embassy. Worked with Embassy staff on a number of issues in country and accompanied Embassy officials to high-level political meetings in country. Liaised with USAID/Pacific Islands to begin climate change programming with newly available funding and advised on in-country needs during beginning months in Vanuatu. Maintained the position of Director of Programming and Training and also acted as back-up Safety and Security Officer while performing role as Acting Country Director. Coordinated ten week training program for 25 Volunteers who arrived in country and designed and facilitated orientation training for a USDH staff who arrived in country.

Port Vila, Vanuatu

As the manager of a complex health project that covered 11 islands and 25 Volunteers, designed a framework to address health needs at rural and provincial levels. Liaised with health ministry officials, international organizations in country, and local NGOs to maximize project outcomes and integrate the project into national initiatives in collaboration with CDC, UNICEF, Save the Children, and local NGOs. Integrated PEPFAR activities into the framework, including first-time training opportunities in HIV/AIDS education for local health workers. Worked with staff to integrate language learning into health technical training sessions.

Port Vila, Vanuatu

Managed contracts and contractors, drafted reports, press releases, terms of reference and statements, translated documents to Bislama, and conducted research for governance and infrastructure projects focused on improving service delivery, strengthening citizen involvement and promoting rural economic growth in Vanuatu. Liaised with partners at the World Bank, ADB, and the Vanuatu Government to promote the integration of local knowledge in small-scale infrastructure projects.

Port Vila, Vanuatu

Successfully completed two years of research, planning, and writing, which resulted in three-volume high school history curriculum with teachers’ guide. Created a curriculum design that featured indigenous epistemologies and celebrated Melanesian cultural diversity. Designed and facilitated training for Ministry of Education and high school history teachers on implementing new history curriculum. Presented on this innovative history curriculum design at three academic conferences.

West Branch, Iowa

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), Urban Studies, History

Master Of Arts - Ma, Pacific Islands Studies

Pacific Islands Studies

Activities and Societies: Pacific Islands Development Program