PROFILE:

25+ years of international and community level experience in all facets of non-profit management and civil society capacity building, 15+ years of NGO and USAID-funded program management and consultancy in the US and overseas.  Strong written, verbal and online communication skills.  Highly proficient Spanish and basic Russian.  International MBA from Thunderbird.

Refugee Employment Programs, Caritas of Austin, Texas, 11/2006 – present

Increasingly responsible positions with largest NGO social service provider in Travis County.  Develop corporate relations and employer partner program.  Provide employment services, professional development coaching and case management for refugees resettled in the US from Iraq, Cuba, Nepal, Myanmar, Congo and Afghanistan.  50-70 client case load.

Consultant, Counterpart International, Afghanistan, 03/2005-2011

Managed project transition/start-up of complex national selection of intermediary civil society partners to deliver community development and small grant interventions in challenging environment.

County Health/Human Services Research/Planning, Austin, Texas, 05-10/2006

Contributed to first county-wide immigrant assessment, including engagement of community in focus groups, facilitator training, research, writing and overall process management.

Program Operations Director, Tsunami Response, Mercy Corps, Sri Lanka, 01-09/2005

Coordinated establishment of 4 field offices and $3 million in programs to respond to the emergency and establish a longer term organizational presence in a new country of operation.  In 6 months reached more than 20,000 beneficiaries through almost 100 sub-grants to Sri Lankan organizations in the context of re-escalating civil conflict.  Managed 50+ staff including 7 expatriates.

Chief of Party, Tikambirane Election Support, MSI, Malawi, 04–09/2004

Facilitate a coordinated civil society effort to provide civic/voter education, poll/media monitoring and public engagement during contentious National and Parliamentary elections.  Managed a complex range of IQC sub-contractual requirements, a staff of 10, four vehicles and three field offices.

Civil Society and NGO Capacity Building Consultant, various, 08/2000-2007

Freelance consultant specializing in all facets of NGO capacity building for a diverse client base in the FSU, CEE, Europe, Latin America and the United States. Clients include Mercy Corps (Montenegro, Croatia); Greenlights for NonProfit Success (Austin, TX), ICMA (Bulgaria); UMCOR (Turkey, Kosovo), Counterpart Int’l (Azerbaijan, Armenia, Uzbekistan), ABA/CEELI (FSU-wide) and The Carter Center (Guyana).  95% repeat client track record.

Civil Society Capacity Building Program Manager, Counterpart Int’l, Washington, DC, 08/1997-07/2000

Proposal development, promotional writing and program management for a multi-million dollar portfolio of international programs funded by multiple donors.  Portfolio included all Vietnam programs, UNHCR relationship management, community development programs and aspects of backstopping $27 million Central Asia regional NGO Support Initiative.

Small Business Development Trainer, US Peace Corps, Armenia, 05-08/1997

Developed and conducted 12 week training for incoming business volunteers as member of multi-cultural team.  Incorporated required curriculum and learner-centered topics in fast-paced environment using the Community Based Model for the first time in Armenia.

Country Director, NIS Exchanges and Training, ACTR/ACCELS, Uzbekistan,  03-08/1996

Managed $4.5 million pass-through program for all USAID-funded training in Uzbekistan involving multiple stakeholders, diverse sectors, 600 member alumni association and staff of eight expatriates and nationals.

Country Director, NGO Support Initiative for Central Asia, Counterpart Consortium, Uzbekistan, 1995-03/1996

Opened office for USAID-funded, four-member, regional PVO Consortium including initial staffing, office set-up, community relations and all systems associated with small grant program and complex sustainability strategy. Managed staff of eight and participated in developing regional coordination and financial management structures

Small Business Development Volunteer, US Peace Corps, Uzbekistan, 12/1992-1994

Supported start-up programs and post-independence institutions, including start-up NGO internet provider, Economics University English language program and televised youth-oriented current affairs talk show.

EDUCATION/TRAINING:

Master of Business Administration (MBA), Thunderbird, Glendale, Arizona, 1991

Concentration:  International Management

Bachelor of Arts, Austin College, Sherman, Texas, 1985

Concentration:  International Relations and Spanish

 GEOGRAPHIC EXPERIENCE:

Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Croatia, Egypt, Georgia, Guyana, Hungary, India, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Malawi, Mexico, Mongolia, Montenegro, Pakistan, Romania, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, United States, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam

 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:

Board of Directors:   First National Bank, Trenton, TX (2002-present); Central Texas Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Association (2003-2008)  Volunteer: Festival Beach Community Garden Special Events and Outreach Committee Chair (2012-Present) World Refugee Day Planning Coalition, Austin (2007-Present); On Your Feet World Music Benefit for Immigrant Homeless Shelter (2008 – 2010); South By Southwest, Volunteer Leader (2001-2010)