Chief Executive Officer
Colleen Kelly has been CEO of Concern Worldwide US since 2017. She brings to the organization three decades of advertising and marketing leadership, which has infused new energy and expertise into Concern’s growing engagement of private sector partners, as well as geographic and tactical expansion of marketing and fundraising efforts in the U.S.
It’s part of a board-driven initiative to generate more income to support Concern’s mission, built on a long track record of program effectiveness and efficiency. This includes a strengthening of Concern’s U.S. government funding portfolio and evolving private funding strategies to include corporate partnerships, social impact investing, and new streams of individual donor engagement at all levels.
In addition to leading a team of 50 professionals in the U.S., she is a member of the Board of Directors as well as the global senior management team, ensuring maximum coordination and programmatic impact.
She has traveled to Concern programs in Lebanon, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, and Bangladesh to strengthen ties and help expose donors directly to the work their generosity makes possible.
Before joining Concern Worldwide U.S., she served as Managing Director of SET Creative, helping establish a rapidly growing New York practice for the leading, Portland-based global brand experience agency. Prior to that, she was for five years a partner and Managing Director of Triptent, where she was responsible for strengthening the agency’s advertising practice while leveraging its award-winning creative and production capabilities to meet clients’ growing content needs. It was an approach that ultimately drove 200% growth over just two years, winning key accounts such as Unilever and PetSmart.
Concurrently, from 2008 to 2013, she served as Managing Director of Product of the Year USA, engineering the North American launch of the world’s largest consumer-voted award for product innovation, which had been founded in France more than two decades earlier. Product of the Year’s mission is guide consumers to the best products in their market and reward manufacturers for quality and innovation, and under Colleen’s leadership, the organization achieved its standing as a now widely accepted seal of approval. She served as lead sales and marketing strategist, forging media partnerships and winning the participation of leading consumer brands; and as public ambassador, representing the cause at conferences and in television appearances.
Earlier, Colleen spent more than a decade as a founding partner, Media Director, and ultimately Director of Business Development for the advertising agency Deutsch LA. The fourth employee hired, she was part of a dynamic team that drove the agency’s exponential growth from start-up to major industry force. Among her many achievements: building a 60-person media planning team from the ground up; generating more than $1 billion in new business billing; opening the agency’s Toronto office to manage growing Canadian business; and guiding the agency’s positioning, philosophy, and marketing strategies, ultimately establishing Deutsch as one of the boldest, most innovative voices in advertising.
Before joining Deutsch LA, and after graduating from Boston University’s School of Management, Colleen spent a decade working in media planning and direction at Vic Olesen & Partners and Dailey & Associates.
She is the former President of the Los Angeles Association of Advertising Agencies, as well as the former Executive Vice President and an originating board member of ThinkLA, a non-profit organization established to build awareness of the Los Angeles creative community, provide education and training, and create social and philanthropic events, with a focus on innovation, diversity, and multi-cultural representation.
Colleen is also a member of the Kelly Gang, a charitable organization that brings together prominent figures in the areas of media, publishing, business, sports, and politics, who all happen to share the surname ‘Kelly.’ In honor of early member Michael Kelly, the longtime editor of Atlantic Monthly, who died in 2003 covering the U.S. invasion of Iraq, the Kelly Gang holds an annual benefit, which has to date generated hundreds of thousands of dollars for worthy causes.
Having grown up in Pinehurst North Carolina, she now makes her home in New York City.
Chief Finance Officer
Kristen is an experienced executive with a focus on financial and operational management in complex global markets. She is passionate about international humanitarian and development efforts, especially around women’s and children’s issues. Throughout her work on projects throughout the US, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, she has always strived to weave this passion into her life and career goals.
As the Chief Finance Officer for Concern Worldwide US, Kristen ensures the financial health and integrity of the organization while driving business operations to maximize returns and mitigate risks. She is dedicated to formulating unique solutions and opportunities that will ultimately enhance Concern’s level of maturity, assessed through a financial and operational lens.
She has a multi-functional background operating at both the strategic and operational level in large corporate and NGO environments. Prior to joining Concern, she served as the Finance Lead for global development projects with Lockheed Martin and Pacific Architects & Engineers, and is a graduate of Lockheed Martin’s Financial Leadership Development program. Kristen obtained her BA in Business from The George Washington University, was the recipient of the Lockheed Martin Business Process Solutions President’s Team Award, and is a member of Young Professionals in Foreign Policy. She has worked in Afghanistan, Djibouti, Dubai, Ghana, India, Kenya, Malawi, and Sierra Leone.
Vice President for Development
As the Director of Major Gifts, Annie designs and executes new strategies to grow private revenue for Concern Worldwide US (93% of which goes into organizational programming around the world), with a particular focus on institutional leadership and major gifts.
Annie oversees the Concern Ambassadors, a stewardship program to support the investment of Concern’s most generous donors. Managing a portfolio of high net-worth individuals to maintain and increase giving, Annie also develops meaningful partnerships between Ambassadors and Concern’s Board of Directors to identify and engage new donors.
Contributing to the overall stewardship vision and strategy for the Individual Giving Department, Annie works closely with Concern’s leadership team, its VP of Individual Giving, and its Development Directors in Chicago and LA to build on the institution’s historic success and help shape its future philanthropic vision.
Before coming to Concern in 2016, Annie served in multiple roles at Wells College. Consistent with her commitment to helping underserved populations, Annie increased enrollment and implemented programs to recruit and retain first-generation college students and students of color as the Director of Multicultural Recruitment and the Assistant Director of Admissions.
Annie holds an MFA from Syracuse University and lives in Brooklyn with her husband Chris.
Chief Executive Officer
Colleen Kelly has been CEO of Concern Worldwide US since 2017. She brings to the organization three decades of advertising and marketing leadership, which has infused new energy and expertise into Concern’s growing engagement of private sector partners, as well as geographic and tactical expansion of marketing and fundraising efforts in the U.S.
It’s part of a board-driven initiative to generate more income to support Concern’s mission, built on a long track record of program effectiveness and efficiency. This includes a strengthening of Concern’s U.S. government funding portfolio and evolving private funding strategies to include corporate partnerships, social impact investing, and new streams of individual donor engagement at all levels.
In addition to leading a team of 50 professionals in the U.S., she is a member of the Board of Directors as well as the global senior management team, ensuring maximum coordination and programmatic impact.
She has traveled to Concern programs in Lebanon, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, and Bangladesh to strengthen ties and help expose donors directly to the work their generosity makes possible.
Before joining Concern Worldwide U.S., she served as Managing Director of SET Creative, helping establish a rapidly growing New York practice for the leading, Portland-based global brand experience agency. Prior to that, she was for five years a partner and Managing Director of Triptent, where she was responsible for strengthening the agency’s advertising practice while leveraging its award-winning creative and production capabilities to meet clients’ growing content needs. It was an approach that ultimately drove 200% growth over just two years, winning key accounts such as Unilever and PetSmart.
Concurrently, from 2008 to 2013, she served as Managing Director of Product of the Year USA, engineering the North American launch of the world’s largest consumer-voted award for product innovation, which had been founded in France more than two decades earlier. Product of the Year’s mission is guide consumers to the best products in their market and reward manufacturers for quality and innovation, and under Colleen’s leadership, the organization achieved its standing as a now widely accepted seal of approval. She served as lead sales and marketing strategist, forging media partnerships and winning the participation of leading consumer brands; and as public ambassador, representing the cause at conferences and in television appearances.
Earlier, Colleen spent more than a decade as a founding partner, Media Director, and ultimately Director of Business Development for the advertising agency Deutsch LA. The fourth employee hired, she was part of a dynamic team that drove the agency’s exponential growth from start-up to major industry force. Among her many achievements: building a 60-person media planning team from the ground up; generating more than $1 billion in new business billing; opening the agency’s Toronto office to manage growing Canadian business; and guiding the agency’s positioning, philosophy, and marketing strategies, ultimately establishing Deutsch as one of the boldest, most innovative voices in advertising.
Before joining Deutsch LA, and after graduating from Boston University’s School of Management, Colleen spent a decade working in media planning and direction at Vic Olesen & Partners and Dailey & Associates.
She is the former President of the Los Angeles Association of Advertising Agencies, as well as the former Executive Vice President and an originating board member of ThinkLA, a non-profit organization established to build awareness of the Los Angeles creative community, provide education and training, and create social and philanthropic events, with a focus on innovation, diversity, and multi-cultural representation.
Colleen is also a member of the Kelly Gang, a charitable organization that brings together prominent figures in the areas of media, publishing, business, sports, and politics, who all happen to share the surname ‘Kelly.’ In honor of early member Michael Kelly, the longtime editor of Atlantic Monthly, who died in 2003 covering the U.S. invasion of Iraq, the Kelly Gang holds an annual benefit, which has to date generated hundreds of thousands of dollars for worthy causes.
Having grown up in Pinehurst North Carolina, she now makes her home in New York City.
Chief Finance Officer
Kristen is an experienced executive with a focus on financial and operational management in complex global markets. She is passionate about international humanitarian and development efforts, especially around women’s and children’s issues. Throughout her work on projects throughout the US, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, she has always strived to weave this passion into her life and career goals.
As the Chief Finance Officer for Concern Worldwide US, Kristen ensures the financial health and integrity of the organization while driving business operations to maximize returns and mitigate risks. She is dedicated to formulating unique solutions and opportunities that will ultimately enhance Concern’s level of maturity, assessed through a financial and operational lens.
She has a multi-functional background operating at both the strategic and operational level in large corporate and NGO environments. Prior to joining Concern, she served as the Finance Lead for global development projects with Lockheed Martin and Pacific Architects & Engineers, and is a graduate of Lockheed Martin’s Financial Leadership Development program. Kristen obtained her BA in Business from The George Washington University, was the recipient of the Lockheed Martin Business Process Solutions President’s Team Award, and is a member of Young Professionals in Foreign Policy. She has worked in Afghanistan, Djibouti, Dubai, Ghana, India, Kenya, Malawi, and Sierra Leone.
Vice President for Development
As the Director of Major Gifts, Annie designs and executes new strategies to grow private revenue for Concern Worldwide US (93% of which goes into organizational programming around the world), with a particular focus on institutional leadership and major gifts.
Annie oversees the Concern Ambassadors, a stewardship program to support the investment of Concern’s most generous donors. Managing a portfolio of high net-worth individuals to maintain and increase giving, Annie also develops meaningful partnerships between Ambassadors and Concern’s Board of Directors to identify and engage new donors.
Contributing to the overall stewardship vision and strategy for the Individual Giving Department, Annie works closely with Concern’s leadership team, its VP of Individual Giving, and its Development Directors in Chicago and LA to build on the institution’s historic success and help shape its future philanthropic vision.
Before coming to Concern in 2016, Annie served in multiple roles at Wells College. Consistent with her commitment to helping underserved populations, Annie increased enrollment and implemented programs to recruit and retain first-generation college students and students of color as the Director of Multicultural Recruitment and the Assistant Director of Admissions.
Annie holds an MFA from Syracuse University and lives in Brooklyn with her husband Chris.
Vice President for Communications
As the Vice President of Communications, Candance leads a team of passionate storytellers responsible for communicating Concern’s mission of ending extreme poverty — whatever it takes.
With 16+ years of marketing and fundraising experience, Candance started her career at Concern as Regional Development Manager for the Midwest Office. In that role, she was responsible for individual giving and event activities including major donor stewardship, regional public awareness, corporate relationship management, and new donor engagement. One year and a global pandemic later, Candance spearheaded the transformation of Concern’s special events into exciting virtual engagement opportunities such as Women of Concern presents WORK OF ART and the Concern Global Gala: Unite to Fight Hunger.
Candance brings a celebration of culture, traditions, and diversity to everything she creates. For her, there is no greater joy than supporting our programming team and participants in telling their stories to garner support, policy change and awareness for those experiencing extreme poverty.
Candance holds a BA in Marketing Communications: Public Relations and Black World Studies from Columbia College Chicago. She hails from Wisconsin, is a former resident of both Accra, Ghana and London, UK, but now calls Chicago home with her husband and two littles. When she’s not working, you’ll find her oversharing tales of #BlackJoy on Instagram.
Vice President for Programs
As the Vice President of Programs for Concern US, Kirk manages the team responsible for all US funded programs and policy, a portfolio totaling more than $50 million USD in 16 countries, reaching over 8 million people.
Kirk also oversees Concern’s involvement in a growing collection of programs designed to improve humanitarian coordination and response, namely the National NGO Program on Humanitarian Leadership and the Building a Better Response program. Kirk has personally facilitated over 40 workshops, training more than 1,000 humanitarian professionals in practically every humanitarian setting.
He brings to this role more than a decade of experience, including humanitarian deployments with Concern in Afghanistan from 2008-2009; the 2011 Horn of Africa food security crisis; Typhoon Haiyan (2013) in the Philippines; the April 2015 earthquake in Nepal; the Syria Crisis (Lebanon); the 2016 Burundi emergency; and the 2017 Somalia food security crisis. During his tenure with Concern, he has worked in and with 21 countries on everything from monitoring and evaluation to capacity building to project design.
A proud native of New Jersey, Kirk received his Master’s degree in International Humanitarian Assistance from the University of Groningen in The Netherlands.
Chief of Staff
Dara Burke was appointed Chief of Staff in 2021. In this role, Dara provides strategic advice and support to the Chief Executive Officer, works closely with the Executive Leadership Team and works across teams at Concern to coordinate, align and build cohesion, streamlining processes and ensuring effectiveness as Concern continues to scale and grow.
Prior to this role, Dara developed holistic fundraising and development strategies building fundraising capacity at Concern as Vice President for Individual Giving & Events (2016 – 2021), Foundation Relations Manager (2015- 2016), Development Manager (2014- 2015) and Development Officer (2008- 2013). Dara joined Concern in 2006 as Board Liaison & Office Administrator and shortly after accepted a short-term role as Liaison Officer in N’Djamena, Chad (Nov 2007-Jan 2008) hiring personnel and setting up in-country operations.
As well as her time in Chad, Dara has traveled to Concern programs in Kenya, Uganda, Haiti and Lebanon to deepen donor relations by showing them the impact of their philanthropic investment in Concern’s work.
Dara brings a lifelong commitment to preserving and protecting basic human rights and dignity, stemming from her experience growing up in Nairobi, Kenya. As an experienced non-profit leader, Dara champions responsible leadership, cross-team collaboration and building strong and lasting philanthropic relationships. Personal philanthropic interests and passions includes major gifts and special events, women and girls empowerment, and human rights.
Dara obtained her bachelor’s degree in Cultural Anthropology with a minor in French from the University of Vermont, and a Master of Science in Nonprofit Management from Columbia University. Born in Geneva, Switzerland with dual Irish and American citizenship. She has a love of the outdoors and in her spare time enjoys hiking and canoeing with her husband and dog.
Vice President for Communications
As the Vice President of Communications, Candance leads a team of passionate storytellers responsible for communicating Concern’s mission of ending extreme poverty — whatever it takes.
With 16+ years of marketing and fundraising experience, Candance started her career at Concern as Regional Development Manager for the Midwest Office. In that role, she was responsible for individual giving and event activities including major donor stewardship, regional public awareness, corporate relationship management, and new donor engagement. One year and a global pandemic later, Candance spearheaded the transformation of Concern’s special events into exciting virtual engagement opportunities such as Women of Concern presents WORK OF ART and the Concern Global Gala: Unite to Fight Hunger.
Candance brings a celebration of culture, traditions, and diversity to everything she creates. For her, there is no greater joy than supporting our programming team and participants in telling their stories to garner support, policy change and awareness for those experiencing extreme poverty.
Candance holds a BA in Marketing Communications: Public Relations and Black World Studies from Columbia College Chicago. She hails from Wisconsin, is a former resident of both Accra, Ghana and London, UK, but now calls Chicago home with her husband and two littles. When she’s not working, you’ll find her oversharing tales of #BlackJoy on Instagram.
Vice President for Programs
As the Vice President of Programs for Concern US, Kirk manages the team responsible for all US funded programs and policy, a portfolio totaling more than $50 million USD in 16 countries, reaching over 8 million people.
Kirk also oversees Concern’s involvement in a growing collection of programs designed to improve humanitarian coordination and response, namely the National NGO Program on Humanitarian Leadership and the Building a Better Response program. Kirk has personally facilitated over 40 workshops, training more than 1,000 humanitarian professionals in practically every humanitarian setting.
He brings to this role more than a decade of experience, including humanitarian deployments with Concern in Afghanistan from 2008-2009; the 2011 Horn of Africa food security crisis; Typhoon Haiyan (2013) in the Philippines; the April 2015 earthquake in Nepal; the Syria Crisis (Lebanon); the 2016 Burundi emergency; and the 2017 Somalia food security crisis. During his tenure with Concern, he has worked in and with 21 countries on everything from monitoring and evaluation to capacity building to project design.
A proud native of New Jersey, Kirk received his Master’s degree in International Humanitarian Assistance from the University of Groningen in The Netherlands.
Chief of Staff
Dara Burke was appointed Chief of Staff in 2021. In this role, Dara provides strategic advice and support to the Chief Executive Officer, works closely with the Executive Leadership Team and works across teams at Concern to coordinate, align and build cohesion, streamlining processes and ensuring effectiveness as Concern continues to scale and grow.
Prior to this role, Dara developed holistic fundraising and development strategies building fundraising capacity at Concern as Vice President for Individual Giving & Events (2016 – 2021), Foundation Relations Manager (2015- 2016), Development Manager (2014- 2015) and Development Officer (2008- 2013). Dara joined Concern in 2006 as Board Liaison & Office Administrator and shortly after accepted a short-term role as Liaison Officer in N’Djamena, Chad (Nov 2007-Jan 2008) hiring personnel and setting up in-country operations.
As well as her time in Chad, Dara has traveled to Concern programs in Kenya, Uganda, Haiti and Lebanon to deepen donor relations by showing them the impact of their philanthropic investment in Concern’s work.
Dara brings a lifelong commitment to preserving and protecting basic human rights and dignity, stemming from her experience growing up in Nairobi, Kenya. As an experienced non-profit leader, Dara champions responsible leadership, cross-team collaboration and building strong and lasting philanthropic relationships. Personal philanthropic interests and passions includes major gifts and special events, women and girls empowerment, and human rights.
Dara obtained her bachelor’s degree in Cultural Anthropology with a minor in French from the University of Vermont, and a Master of Science in Nonprofit Management from Columbia University. Born in Geneva, Switzerland with dual Irish and American citizenship. She has a love of the outdoors and in her spare time enjoys hiking and canoeing with her husband and dog.
Executive Assistant
As Executive Assistant, Eddie uses extraordinary judgment, problem-solving and initiative to provide administrative support to our Senior Management team.
A Massachusetts native, Eddie has professional experience in the fields of public interest law and refugee/immigrant assistance. He holds a MA in International Relations from the Institut Barcelona d’Estudis Internacionals and a BA in International Studies from Fordham University,
Eddie currently lives in New York City where he spends his free time learning Spanish online, running in Central Park, and cooking for family and friends.
Program Specialist
As Program Specialist, Business Development at Concern US, Emma assists in raising new funds from and expanding our partnerships with institutions, with the ultimate goal to maintain and expand support for Concern’s global humanitarian and poverty alleviation programs.
Emma has previously lived in Kenya, South Africa, Jordan, and the UK, gaining business development experience from her time working at the International Rescue Committee and the World Bank. She holds an MSc in International Development and Humanitarian Emergencies from the London School of Economics and a BA in International Affairs from George Washington University.
Emma speaks English too quickly and Arabic too slowly (but working on it!), lives in New York City, and is passionate about good bagels.
Development Coordinator
As Development Coordinator, Arzow provides support in the realms of fundraising and events at Concern. She holds a BA in International Studies with a concentration in Culture from SUNY Oswego, which helped her gain a valuable understanding in global issues and strengthened her desire to get involved in humanitarian efforts. As a student, she held a fundraising position at her university and has prior experience working in special events through a previously held position as an Event Coordinator.
Arzow has always been passionate about international humanitarian efforts and contributing to positive change in the world. She is thrilled to be a part of the team at Concern and is motivated by the organization’s mission to end extreme poverty.
Executive Assistant
As Executive Assistant, Eddie uses extraordinary judgment, problem-solving and initiative to provide administrative support to our Senior Management team.
A Massachusetts native, Eddie has professional experience in the fields of public interest law and refugee/immigrant assistance. He holds a MA in International Relations from the Institut Barcelona d’Estudis Internacionals and a BA in International Studies from Fordham University,
Eddie currently lives in New York City where he spends his free time learning Spanish online, running in Central Park, and cooking for family and friends.
Program Specialist
As Program Specialist, Business Development at Concern US, Emma assists in raising new funds from and expanding our partnerships with institutions, with the ultimate goal to maintain and expand support for Concern’s global humanitarian and poverty alleviation programs.
Emma has previously lived in Kenya, South Africa, Jordan, and the UK, gaining business development experience from her time working at the International Rescue Committee and the World Bank. She holds an MSc in International Development and Humanitarian Emergencies from the London School of Economics and a BA in International Affairs from George Washington University.
Emma speaks English too quickly and Arabic too slowly (but working on it!), lives in New York City, and is passionate about good bagels.
Development Coordinator
As Development Coordinator, Arzow provides support in the realms of fundraising and events at Concern. She holds a BA in International Studies with a concentration in Culture from SUNY Oswego, which helped her gain a valuable understanding in global issues and strengthened her desire to get involved in humanitarian efforts. As a student, she held a fundraising position at her university and has prior experience working in special events through a previously held position as an Event Coordinator.
Arzow has always been passionate about international humanitarian efforts and contributing to positive change in the world. She is thrilled to be a part of the team at Concern and is motivated by the organization’s mission to end extreme poverty.
Grants & Compliance Accountant
Dilenia Baez joined Concern Worldwide US as a Grant & Compliance Accountant in 2019. She is responsible for providing financial, accounting, compliance and other grant support services in order to meet the needs of the organization and its donors.
She brings 11 years’ experience, to Concern, seven of which were focused on quarterly budgeting, accounts payable, and the operation of all accounting systems and records. Dilenia holds a BS in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting from Felician College and an MBA in Innovation and Entrepreneurial Leadership.
Senior Finance Manager
Samantha joined Concern Worldwide US’s Finance team in March of 2021. As the Senior Finance Manager, Samantha assists in all aspects of the operational finances of the organization. She is responsible for annual and long-term financial planning, budgeting and financial analysis, and the production of periodic financial reports including financial statements. Through collaboration with staff and management, she supports organizational decision-making with financial analysis.
She brings a breadth of expertise with over 10 years of experience in financial roles in the private sector. Prior to joining Concern Worldwide US, she worked as a mergers and acquisitions manager within the insurance brokerage industry, partnering with key stakeholders to analyze, develop, and drive strategic initiatives. In this role, she managed the M&A deal process from initial analysis, valuation, and structuring through due diligence, closing and integration. In addition, she has held a variety of finance professional roles with a focus on corporate finance, FP&A, and accounting in financial services.
Samantha holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Finance from Rutgers Business School in New Brunswick, NJ.
Director of Human Resources
As the Director of Human Resources, Elana is responsible for the management and advancement of the organization’s Human Resource profile to attract, develop, motivate, and retain productive, engaged employees.
Elana works to develop the members of our team, creating exciting career paths, and fostering a community of diversity, high performance, innovation, and passion. She delivers perspectives on HR trends to senior colleagues to help shape strategy and business procedures as well as set standards and ensure best HR practice in the US office.
Elana oversees the Staff Engagement and Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DIB) group. She supports the team in creating and delivering initiatives designed to build a culture of inclusion and ensure the long-term sustainability of diversity and inclusion efforts.
After receiving her BA in Sociology from the University of Colorado at Boulder (with a minor in Peace and Conflict Studies), Elana completed her MS in Elementary Education at Long Island University. Her interest in the humanitarian sector-led Elana to begin her career with Concern in 2015 as an Administrative Coordinator, where she soon discovered her passion for taking care of her colleagues. She joined the HR team the following year and, in 2022, proudly celebrated her 7th anniversary with Concern.
Grants & Compliance Accountant
Dilenia Baez joined Concern Worldwide US as a Grant & Compliance Accountant in 2019. She is responsible for providing financial, accounting, compliance and other grant support services in order to meet the needs of the organization and its donors.
She brings 11 years’ experience, to Concern, seven of which were focused on quarterly budgeting, accounts payable, and the operation of all accounting systems and records. Dilenia holds a BS in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting from Felician College and an MBA in Innovation and Entrepreneurial Leadership.
Senior Finance Manager
Samantha joined Concern Worldwide US’s Finance team in March of 2021. As the Senior Finance Manager, Samantha assists in all aspects of the operational finances of the organization. She is responsible for annual and long-term financial planning, budgeting and financial analysis, and the production of periodic financial reports including financial statements. Through collaboration with staff and management, she supports organizational decision-making with financial analysis.
She brings a breadth of expertise with over 10 years of experience in financial roles in the private sector. Prior to joining Concern Worldwide US, she worked as a mergers and acquisitions manager within the insurance brokerage industry, partnering with key stakeholders to analyze, develop, and drive strategic initiatives. In this role, she managed the M&A deal process from initial analysis, valuation, and structuring through due diligence, closing and integration. In addition, she has held a variety of finance professional roles with a focus on corporate finance, FP&A, and accounting in financial services.
Samantha holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Finance from Rutgers Business School in New Brunswick, NJ.
Director of Human Resources
As the Director of Human Resources, Elana is responsible for the management and advancement of the organization’s Human Resource profile to attract, develop, motivate, and retain productive, engaged employees.
Elana works to develop the members of our team, creating exciting career paths, and fostering a community of diversity, high performance, innovation, and passion. She delivers perspectives on HR trends to senior colleagues to help shape strategy and business procedures as well as set standards and ensure best HR practice in the US office.
Elana oversees the Staff Engagement and Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DIB) group. She supports the team in creating and delivering initiatives designed to build a culture of inclusion and ensure the long-term sustainability of diversity and inclusion efforts.
After receiving her BA in Sociology from the University of Colorado at Boulder (with a minor in Peace and Conflict Studies), Elana completed her MS in Elementary Education at Long Island University. Her interest in the humanitarian sector-led Elana to begin her career with Concern in 2015 as an Administrative Coordinator, where she soon discovered her passion for taking care of her colleagues. She joined the HR team the following year and, in 2022, proudly celebrated her 7th anniversary with Concern.
Controller
Vanessa began working with Concern in August 1998, making her the longest-working member of the US team as well as an asset to the organization during its early stages in the United States
Her background and ability to multitask is an asset within the Finance and Administration department as well as the other departments that form Concern Worldwide US. Her role as Controller focuses on the daily financial management of the organization.
She has a Bachelors in Accounting, a Masters in Business Administration, and is a Certified Nonprofit Accounting Professional (CNAP). Before coming to Concern, Vanessa spent 4.5 years at the Coalition for the Homeless in several departments as Assistant Bookkeeper, Officer Manager/HR/Payroll, and Administrative Assistant.
Program Officer
Lucy Buckman joins Concern Worldwide US from USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance where she spent 3 years on the Syria response in D.C. and Amman, Jordan, and most recently served on the East Asia Pacific team. In 2018, she was also a Research Intern for the Center of Strategic Studies in Amman Jordan, where she conducted independent research on the success of large-scale USAID-funded development projects in Jordan. Lucy graduated from George Washington University in 2019 with a BA in International Development. Though a native of Pittsburgh, PA, Lucy is currently based in Maryland and will be relocating to New York.
Marketing Technology Manager
Jocelyn oversees Concern’s email program, marketing automation platform, and website, while optimizing data integration between all digital platforms. All of this is done with an eye towards better understanding the effectiveness of Concern’s marketing campaigns and what motivates its community of supporters to engage and donate.
Motivated by seeing Concern’s digital platforms present the most relevant information in the most efficient and aesthetic manner, Jocelyn is also focused on Concern’s user experience across platforms, including email design and development.
Jocelyn joins Concern with two decades of experience in website and email development and marketing automation. She is originally from Northern California and has lived and worked in ten countries on five continents. She enjoys cycling, singing, and attending concerts.
Controller
Vanessa began working with Concern in August 1998, making her the longest-working member of the US team as well as an asset to the organization during its early stages in the United States
Her background and ability to multitask is an asset within the Finance and Administration department as well as the other departments that form Concern Worldwide US. Her role as Controller focuses on the daily financial management of the organization.
She has a Bachelors in Accounting, a Masters in Business Administration, and is a Certified Nonprofit Accounting Professional (CNAP). Before coming to Concern, Vanessa spent 4.5 years at the Coalition for the Homeless in several departments as Assistant Bookkeeper, Officer Manager/HR/Payroll, and Administrative Assistant.
Program Officer
Lucy Buckman joins Concern Worldwide US from USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance where she spent 3 years on the Syria response in D.C. and Amman, Jordan, and most recently served on the East Asia Pacific team. In 2018, she was also a Research Intern for the Center of Strategic Studies in Amman Jordan, where she conducted independent research on the success of large-scale USAID-funded development projects in Jordan. Lucy graduated from George Washington University in 2019 with a BA in International Development. Though a native of Pittsburgh, PA, Lucy is currently based in Maryland and will be relocating to New York.
Marketing Technology Manager
Jocelyn oversees Concern’s email program, marketing automation platform, and website, while optimizing data integration between all digital platforms. All of this is done with an eye towards better understanding the effectiveness of Concern’s marketing campaigns and what motivates its community of supporters to engage and donate.
Motivated by seeing Concern’s digital platforms present the most relevant information in the most efficient and aesthetic manner, Jocelyn is also focused on Concern’s user experience across platforms, including email design and development.
Jocelyn joins Concern with two decades of experience in website and email development and marketing automation. She is originally from Northern California and has lived and worked in ten countries on five continents. She enjoys cycling, singing, and attending concerts.
Business Development Specialist
In her role as Business Development Specialist, Crystal will be responsible for providing support for a diverse range of business development activities including but not limited to: prospect research, funding opportunity tracking and management, collateral development, proposal development and review, and knowledge management.
Previously, Crystal has served in multiple roles at a non-profit dedicated to building youth leadership across some of the U.S’s most underserved public high schools through civic engagement initiatives. While there, she designed service-learning curriculum, led global service projects, and built new communication and campaign infrastructure that allowed students and staff to lead organizational growth.
A Bronx native, Crystal graduated from Fordham University with a B. A in Humanitarian Studies and is currently pursuing her MSc in Humanitarian Action at University College Dublin (UCD).
In her spare time, she loves watching international films, watercolor painting, and scoping out the city’s newest cafes.
Grants & Compliance Accountant
Marianne Cortez Essalek joined Concern Worldwide US as a Grants & Compliance Accountant in 2020. She is responsible for supporting the proposal submission process, grant accounting and reporting, maintaining cash controls, providing financial reporting and analysis in support of the various programs, and all matters relating to organizational compliance with US Government awards. Marianne also provides support to the Programs and Operations teams and Concern Worldwide field staff in budgets and reports preparations to ensure compliance with donor requirements and regulations.
Marianne began her career with USAID as an accounting technician in the Philippines for six years and moved up to a budget analyst position where she was stationed in Iraq.
Before joining Concern, Marianne worked in grant management positions at Mercy Corps, Habitat for Humanity International, and GOPA Infra GmbH.
Development Manager
As a Development Manager, Matt plays an integral role in scaling up Concern’s community of high-level donors across the East Coast. He is responsible for providing support across a range of campaigns and donor engagement activities, relationship and portfolio management, and facilitating consistent year-over-year growth in the East Coast Region.
Before joining Concern Worldwide, Matt co-founded The Durkin Foundation, a Massachusetts-based nonprofit aimed to provide services and care for those impacted by Alzheimer’s Disease, intellectual disabilities, and veterans’ affairs. As Executive Director of the foundation, Matt helped raise over $1 million within its first five years. As a community-oriented leader with a passion for finding solutions to challenges, Matt worked alongside local businesses and restaurants during the COVID-19 pandemic to develop “Durkin Delivers” serving over 700 families (and growing).
Matt holds a master’s in public administration from Suffolk University. He also holds a BA in Broadcast Journalism with a minor in Marketing. In his spare time, he enjoys training for marathons, traveling, and spending time with family and friends, particularly near the ocean in York Beach, Maine. Matt also loves seeing Broadway shows, concerts and watching movies.
Business Development Specialist
In her role as Business Development Specialist, Crystal will be responsible for providing support for a diverse range of business development activities including but not limited to: prospect research, funding opportunity tracking and management, collateral development, proposal development and review, and knowledge management.
Previously, Crystal has served in multiple roles at a non-profit dedicated to building youth leadership across some of the U.S’s most underserved public high schools through civic engagement initiatives. While there, she designed service-learning curriculum, led global service projects, and built new communication and campaign infrastructure that allowed students and staff to lead organizational growth.
A Bronx native, Crystal graduated from Fordham University with a B. A in Humanitarian Studies and is currently pursuing her MSc in Humanitarian Action at University College Dublin (UCD).
In her spare time, she loves watching international films, watercolor painting, and scoping out the city’s newest cafes.
Grants & Compliance Accountant
Marianne Cortez Essalek joined Concern Worldwide US as a Grants & Compliance Accountant in 2020. She is responsible for supporting the proposal submission process, grant accounting and reporting, maintaining cash controls, providing financial reporting and analysis in support of the various programs, and all matters relating to organizational compliance with US Government awards. Marianne also provides support to the Programs and Operations teams and Concern Worldwide field staff in budgets and reports preparations to ensure compliance with donor requirements and regulations.
Marianne began her career with USAID as an accounting technician in the Philippines for six years and moved up to a budget analyst position where she was stationed in Iraq.
Before joining Concern, Marianne worked in grant management positions at Mercy Corps, Habitat for Humanity International, and GOPA Infra GmbH.
Development Manager
As a Development Manager, Matt plays an integral role in scaling up Concern’s community of high-level donors across the East Coast. He is responsible for providing support across a range of campaigns and donor engagement activities, relationship and portfolio management, and facilitating consistent year-over-year growth in the East Coast Region.
Before joining Concern Worldwide, Matt co-founded The Durkin Foundation, a Massachusetts-based nonprofit aimed to provide services and care for those impacted by Alzheimer’s Disease, intellectual disabilities, and veterans’ affairs. As Executive Director of the foundation, Matt helped raise over $1 million within its first five years. As a community-oriented leader with a passion for finding solutions to challenges, Matt worked alongside local businesses and restaurants during the COVID-19 pandemic to develop “Durkin Delivers” serving over 700 families (and growing).
Matt holds a master’s in public administration from Suffolk University. He also holds a BA in Broadcast Journalism with a minor in Marketing. In his spare time, he enjoys training for marathons, traveling, and spending time with family and friends, particularly near the ocean in York Beach, Maine. Matt also loves seeing Broadway shows, concerts and watching movies.
Director of Development, West Coast Region
Kathleen Felesina is a nonprofit professional of nearly 20 years, as well as a published author who has written/edited six nonfiction books. Born in Los Angeles, she has lived abroad twice, including several years in Hong Kong. There, she was part of the team that launched CNBC Asia in the mid-1990s, just as the digital revolution was dawning and globalization was escalating.
This experience imbued an awareness both of the world’s interconnectedness as well as its profound inequities and led Kathleen to pivot to the nonprofit arena when she returned to the United States, providing crucial resources and amplifying marginalized voices. She has worked with organizations dedicated to providing educational access, workforce development, and healthcare services for at-risk and underserved populations throughout California.
Kathleen was drawn to Concern’s mission because it not only provides critical humanitarian and development assistance on a global scale, but does so in partnership with local communities in order to eliminate the need for ongoing external support. Joining the team in 2019 to start an office on the West Coast, she’s proud to help raise funds and awareness for Concern throughout the region.
Programs Director
As a Programs Director, Sugandha oversees institutional fundraising and grant management strategies and processes for improved programmatic integration. She also manages a new business development portfolio of over $40 million from US Government and US foundation/corporate donors for the MENA and Asia region.
Sugandha holds double masters’ degrees: an MA in Anthropology and an MSc in Environmental sciences. In her early professional life, she worked for international development organizations including the World Wildlife Fund and Winrock International in Nepal. She also joined ETC International for a short-term internship in Laos. Her time with Concern began with its Nepal program in the fall of 2009, followed by a two-year international assignment in South Sudan. After a short-term return to Nepal as part of Concern’s response to the 2015 earthquake, she made her home with Concern Worldwide US in April 2016.
Born and raised in Nepal, international development work was instilled in Sugandha during her childhood as she actively tagged along with her dad to the remotest parts of the country. There, she watched him use his agroforestry and project management skills to help those in greatest need, and make magic by turning dry barren lands into green fertile patches.
In her free time, Sugandha enjoys traveling and exploring cultures.
Business Operations & Systems Manager
As the Business Operations & Systems Manager for Concern Worldwide US, Lauren develops and manages high-level data architecture within Salesforce, assists in the overall systems architecture of all business solution software, and manages data security to ensure organizational safeguards, donor privacy, and data integrity.
Lauren joined Concern in May 2019 with experience in analytics, data management, and system integration. After completing a year of direct service with City Year New York as an AmeriCorps volunteer in East Harlem, she opted to work behind the scenes within the sector. She has since worked as an operations and data professional with nonprofits both local and international.
Lauren holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Born in Arizona, she is an avid hiker, tea drinker, and tennis enthusiast.
Director of Development, West Coast Region
Kathleen Felesina is a nonprofit professional of nearly 20 years, as well as a published author who has written/edited six nonfiction books. Born in Los Angeles, she has lived abroad twice, including several years in Hong Kong. There, she was part of the team that launched CNBC Asia in the mid-1990s, just as the digital revolution was dawning and globalization was escalating.
This experience imbued an awareness both of the world’s interconnectedness as well as its profound inequities and led Kathleen to pivot to the nonprofit arena when she returned to the United States, providing crucial resources and amplifying marginalized voices. She has worked with organizations dedicated to providing educational access, workforce development, and healthcare services for at-risk and underserved populations throughout California.
Kathleen was drawn to Concern’s mission because it not only provides critical humanitarian and development assistance on a global scale, but does so in partnership with local communities in order to eliminate the need for ongoing external support. Joining the team in 2019 to start an office on the West Coast, she’s proud to help raise funds and awareness for Concern throughout the region.
Programs Director
As a Programs Director, Sugandha oversees institutional fundraising and grant management strategies and processes for improved programmatic integration. She also manages a new business development portfolio of over $40 million from US Government and US foundation/corporate donors for the MENA and Asia region.
Sugandha holds double masters’ degrees: an MA in Anthropology and an MSc in Environmental sciences. In her early professional life, she worked for international development organizations including the World Wildlife Fund and Winrock International in Nepal. She also joined ETC International for a short-term internship in Laos. Her time with Concern began with its Nepal program in the fall of 2009, followed by a two-year international assignment in South Sudan. After a short-term return to Nepal as part of Concern’s response to the 2015 earthquake, she made her home with Concern Worldwide US in April 2016.
Born and raised in Nepal, international development work was instilled in Sugandha during her childhood as she actively tagged along with her dad to the remotest parts of the country. There, she watched him use his agroforestry and project management skills to help those in greatest need, and make magic by turning dry barren lands into green fertile patches.
In her free time, Sugandha enjoys traveling and exploring cultures.
Business Operations & Systems Manager
As the Business Operations & Systems Manager for Concern Worldwide US, Lauren develops and manages high-level data architecture within Salesforce, assists in the overall systems architecture of all business solution software, and manages data security to ensure organizational safeguards, donor privacy, and data integrity.
Lauren joined Concern in May 2019 with experience in analytics, data management, and system integration. After completing a year of direct service with City Year New York as an AmeriCorps volunteer in East Harlem, she opted to work behind the scenes within the sector. She has since worked as an operations and data professional with nonprofits both local and international.
Lauren holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Born in Arizona, she is an avid hiker, tea drinker, and tennis enthusiast.
Humanitarian Programs Director
As Humanitarian Programs Director for Concern Worldwide US, Rachel leads Concern’s Humanitarian Training Unit which has provided capacity building and system strengthening trainings to more than 100,000 humanitarians working in nearly every type of humanitarian context.
In her tenure, the unit has doubled in size and now compromises four unique training and research programs, including the Building a Better Response Project (BBR), and the National NGO Program on Humanitarian Leadership, joint initiatives of Concern, International Medical Corps, and the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative which aim to strengthen leadership capacity and NGO involvement in the international humanitarian coordination system during complex emergencies.
During her time at Concern, Rachel has worked in more than 10 countries in various capacities, from delivering trainings in Djibouti, Kenya, Nepal, Thailand, and the Philippines to supporting a diverse portfolio of more than $15 million of Concern’s programs funded by USAID’s Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance in Somalia, the Central African Republic, Sudan, South Sudan, and Bangladesh.
Rachel holds a Master’s Degree in International Development Studies from SOAS, University of London, where she focused on labor economics and workers’ rights in South Asia. A former resident of London and Mumbai, she now resides in her homeland, the Great Badger State – Wisconsin.
Grants & Compliance Manager
As Grants & Compliance Manager, Ella ensures good stewardship of Concern’s government funding portfolio. She works across programs and departments to oversee critical aspects of the grant cycle, from pre-award to post-award, focusing on donor guidelines, reporting, audits, monitoring, financial accountability, and regulatory compliance.
Ella is a seasoned finance and accounting professional with more than 13 years of experience in both private and nonprofit sectors. She views her role at Concern as a unique opportunity to apply her financial skills to creating positive change and making a difference in overcoming poverty. She is passionate about humanitarian work and believes we can all make a difference, to quote Desmond Tutu: “Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.”
Before joining Concern, Ella worked in senior accounting and finance positions at 32BJ Benefit Funds, Action Against Hunger, Kennedy Child Study Center, and Panafric Global. Ella holds a BA in Accounting and Finance from Addis Ababa University and likes to read books and travel during her leisure time.
Communications Coordinator
Originally from Westchester, New York, Allison is a recent graduate of Fordham University with a BA in International Studies. Her interests in the field lie in gender equality, human rights and displacement. During her time in university, Allison worked as a journalist with various news outlets, and she brings with her to Concern a passion for ethical storytelling. Prior to starting at Concern, Allison interned at the UN International Fund for Agricultural Development in Italy.
Humanitarian Programs Director
As Humanitarian Programs Director for Concern Worldwide US, Rachel leads Concern’s Humanitarian Training Unit which has provided capacity building and system strengthening trainings to more than 100,000 humanitarians working in nearly every type of humanitarian context.
In her tenure, the unit has doubled in size and now compromises four unique training and research programs, including the Building a Better Response Project (BBR), and the National NGO Program on Humanitarian Leadership, joint initiatives of Concern, International Medical Corps, and the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative which aim to strengthen leadership capacity and NGO involvement in the international humanitarian coordination system during complex emergencies.
During her time at Concern, Rachel has worked in more than 10 countries in various capacities, from delivering trainings in Djibouti, Kenya, Nepal, Thailand, and the Philippines to supporting a diverse portfolio of more than $15 million of Concern’s programs funded by USAID’s Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance in Somalia, the Central African Republic, Sudan, South Sudan, and Bangladesh.
Rachel holds a Master’s Degree in International Development Studies from SOAS, University of London, where she focused on labor economics and workers’ rights in South Asia. A former resident of London and Mumbai, she now resides in her homeland, the Great Badger State – Wisconsin.
Grants & Compliance Manager
As Grants & Compliance Manager, Ella ensures good stewardship of Concern’s government funding portfolio. She works across programs and departments to oversee critical aspects of the grant cycle, from pre-award to post-award, focusing on donor guidelines, reporting, audits, monitoring, financial accountability, and regulatory compliance.
Ella is a seasoned finance and accounting professional with more than 13 years of experience in both private and nonprofit sectors. She views her role at Concern as a unique opportunity to apply her financial skills to creating positive change and making a difference in overcoming poverty. She is passionate about humanitarian work and believes we can all make a difference, to quote Desmond Tutu: “Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.”
Before joining Concern, Ella worked in senior accounting and finance positions at 32BJ Benefit Funds, Action Against Hunger, Kennedy Child Study Center, and Panafric Global. Ella holds a BA in Accounting and Finance from Addis Ababa University and likes to read books and travel during her leisure time.
Communications Coordinator
Originally from Westchester, New York, Allison is a recent graduate of Fordham University with a BA in International Studies. Her interests in the field lie in gender equality, human rights and displacement. During her time in university, Allison worked as a journalist with various news outlets, and she brings with her to Concern a passion for ethical storytelling. Prior to starting at Concern, Allison interned at the UN International Fund for Agricultural Development in Italy.
Senior Accountant
Vhary is based out of New York City, and has spent the past six years working in the accounting field, most recently at an accounting firm in Brooklyn, along with being a freelance accountant. For quite some time before she became a part of the Finance world, Vhary was an elementary school therapist in California. Vhary graduated from SUNY at Stony Brook with a BA in Cultural Anthropology, and earned her MA in Counseling Psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco. She is excited to work for an organization that makes the world better for others, and spends her free time taking pictures of street art, writing science fiction, and enjoys spending time with friends—along with making new ones!
Event Officer
As Events Officer, Jacquelyn is responsible for supporting the successful execution of our high-level events in New York and Chicago.
Jacquelyn’s passion for events started during her time as a Field Organizer for The Hillary Clinton Presidential Campaign and continued while working for a host of development organizations such as ChildFund International, The Hunger Project, and Catholic Relief Services. Jacquelyn has also developed a great career as an event designer and is thrilled by the opportunity to bridge her event planning and design skills with her dedication to social development.
Jacquelyn holds a BA from Salem College and will be pursuing her Masters at NYU in the spring.
Office Manager
Karen joined Concern Worldwide US as Office Manager in 2019 and plays an integral role in continuing the organization’s growth with a broad set of responsibilities including overall office coordination and operations. Her diverse background and experience in both administrative and creative capacities brings a new and innovative lens to Concern’s administrative functions and systems.
She began her career with Burlington Industries as a design and production specialist before moving onto Crest Uniform, where she spent 12 years in various roles including designer, creative director and ultimately the VP of Creative Services. Prior to joining Concern, Karen was the Administrative Director, Marketing for Dazian, LLC, where she was not only a leader for the marketing team, but also responsible for all administrative facets.
An alumna of the College of New Rochelle, Karen holds a BFA in Printing and Drawing, with a second major in Art History and Music. Still a resident of New Rochelle, Karen enjoys her waterside living with two enormous cats.
Senior Accountant
Vhary is based out of New York City, and has spent the past six years working in the accounting field, most recently at an accounting firm in Brooklyn, along with being a freelance accountant. For quite some time before she became a part of the Finance world, Vhary was an elementary school therapist in California. Vhary graduated from SUNY at Stony Brook with a BA in Cultural Anthropology, and earned her MA in Counseling Psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco. She is excited to work for an organization that makes the world better for others, and spends her free time taking pictures of street art, writing science fiction, and enjoys spending time with friends—along with making new ones!
Event Officer
As Events Officer, Jacquelyn is responsible for supporting the successful execution of our high-level events in New York and Chicago.
Jacquelyn’s passion for events started during her time as a Field Organizer for The Hillary Clinton Presidential Campaign and continued while working for a host of development organizations such as ChildFund International, The Hunger Project, and Catholic Relief Services. Jacquelyn has also developed a great career as an event designer and is thrilled by the opportunity to bridge her event planning and design skills with her dedication to social development.
Jacquelyn holds a BA from Salem College and will be pursuing her Masters at NYU in the spring.
Office Manager
Karen joined Concern Worldwide US as Office Manager in 2019 and plays an integral role in continuing the organization’s growth with a broad set of responsibilities including overall office coordination and operations. Her diverse background and experience in both administrative and creative capacities brings a new and innovative lens to Concern’s administrative functions and systems.
She began her career with Burlington Industries as a design and production specialist before moving onto Crest Uniform, where she spent 12 years in various roles including designer, creative director and ultimately the VP of Creative Services. Prior to joining Concern, Karen was the Administrative Director, Marketing for Dazian, LLC, where she was not only a leader for the marketing team, but also responsible for all administrative facets.
An alumna of the College of New Rochelle, Karen holds a BFA in Printing and Drawing, with a second major in Art History and Music. Still a resident of New Rochelle, Karen enjoys her waterside living with two enormous cats.
Events Director
Marisa joined the Concern Worldwide US team in February of 2022. As the Events Manager, Marisa works closely with Board Members, Major Donors, and the Senior Leadership team to raise awareness and funds in support of the world’s most vulnerable.
Prior to joining Concern, Marisa’s career has been dedicated to planning events and fundraising initiatives nationwide for organizations like Autism Speaks, FACES at NYU Langone Health, NEXT for AUTISM and the Arthritis Foundation. She has had the opportunity to work on a wide range of events including intimate cocktail parties, golf tournaments, international conferences, variety shows, food festivals, concerts, opening and closing ceremonies, endurance events (walks, 5ks, marathons, etc.), and large-scale dinner galas. She is a creative problem solver and enjoys working across departments to deliver best-in-class experiences for loyal supporters.
When not in the office, Marisa is likely spending time with her husband and their dog, Boddington at their home on Long Island. She loves the beach, cooking, and traveling and is an avid soccer fan (Go, Liverpool!).
Communications Officer
Camille joins Concern as a passionate, dedicated communications professional. Previously working as the Communications and Research Officer for the Institute of International Humanitarian Affairs (IIHA) at Fordham University, she brought innovation and strategic thought to the public relations and marketing of the IIHA’s research and academic programs designed for humanitarian aid professionals around the world.
As a graduate of Fairfield University with a BA in International Studies and Humanitarian Action, she found her place amongst social justice causes through a service-learning course mentoring refugee youth in Bridgeport, Connecticut. What began as a course component turned into a call to action. Sponsored by Fairfield University’s Center for Social Impact, formally known as the Center for Faith and Public Life, Camille took over the program as the Student Mentoring Program Coordinator, liaising with community and on-campus partners to provide a successful and high-quality mentoring experience.
In blending her strengths of writing, coordination, and creative storytelling with her tenacious pursuit of elevating the voices of the most vulnerable populations, she earned an MS in Humanitarian Studies and is currently pursuing her Professional MBA from Fordham University.
Senior Program Specialist
As the Senior Program Specialist for Concern Worldwide US, Ariana manages the research and capacity development program Beyond Barriers which seeks to understand how to achieve a more effective and localized humanitarian response. She also supports the Building a Better Response Program and the National NGO Program on Humanitarian Leadership.
Prior to joining Concern, Ariana held roles at the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, the FXB Center for Health and Human Rights, and the Baker Institute for Public Policy. She specializes in the design and implementation of capacity development trainings for humanitarian professionals and the execution of impact-oriented research. She strives to lead with humor and foster a supportive environment for her colleagues and partners.
Ariana holds a master’s degree in Public Health with a focus on Humanitarian Studies, Ethics and Human Rights from the Harvard TH Chan School, and a bachelor’s degree in Arabic from Georgetown University. She enjoys lifting weights and bringing people together over food.
Events Director
Marisa joined the Concern Worldwide US team in February of 2022. As the Events Manager, Marisa works closely with Board Members, Major Donors, and the Senior Leadership team to raise awareness and funds in support of the world’s most vulnerable.
Prior to joining Concern, Marisa’s career has been dedicated to planning events and fundraising initiatives nationwide for organizations like Autism Speaks, FACES at NYU Langone Health, NEXT for AUTISM and the Arthritis Foundation. She has had the opportunity to work on a wide range of events including intimate cocktail parties, golf tournaments, international conferences, variety shows, food festivals, concerts, opening and closing ceremonies, endurance events (walks, 5ks, marathons, etc.), and large-scale dinner galas. She is a creative problem solver and enjoys working across departments to deliver best-in-class experiences for loyal supporters.
When not in the office, Marisa is likely spending time with her husband and their dog, Boddington at their home on Long Island. She loves the beach, cooking, and traveling and is an avid soccer fan (Go, Liverpool!).
Communications Officer
Camille joins Concern as a passionate, dedicated communications professional. Previously working as the Communications and Research Officer for the Institute of International Humanitarian Affairs (IIHA) at Fordham University, she brought innovation and strategic thought to the public relations and marketing of the IIHA’s research and academic programs designed for humanitarian aid professionals around the world.
As a graduate of Fairfield University with a BA in International Studies and Humanitarian Action, she found her place amongst social justice causes through a service-learning course mentoring refugee youth in Bridgeport, Connecticut. What began as a course component turned into a call to action. Sponsored by Fairfield University’s Center for Social Impact, formally known as the Center for Faith and Public Life, Camille took over the program as the Student Mentoring Program Coordinator, liaising with community and on-campus partners to provide a successful and high-quality mentoring experience.
In blending her strengths of writing, coordination, and creative storytelling with her tenacious pursuit of elevating the voices of the most vulnerable populations, she earned an MS in Humanitarian Studies and is currently pursuing her Professional MBA from Fordham University.
Senior Program Specialist
As the Senior Program Specialist for Concern Worldwide US, Ariana manages the research and capacity development program Beyond Barriers which seeks to understand how to achieve a more effective and localized humanitarian response. She also supports the Building a Better Response Program and the National NGO Program on Humanitarian Leadership.
Prior to joining Concern, Ariana held roles at the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, the FXB Center for Health and Human Rights, and the Baker Institute for Public Policy. She specializes in the design and implementation of capacity development trainings for humanitarian professionals and the execution of impact-oriented research. She strives to lead with humor and foster a supportive environment for her colleagues and partners.
Ariana holds a master’s degree in Public Health with a focus on Humanitarian Studies, Ethics and Human Rights from the Harvard TH Chan School, and a bachelor’s degree in Arabic from Georgetown University. She enjoys lifting weights and bringing people together over food.
Global Communications Advisor
A former journalist and TV Producer, Kieran has worked for Concern since 2010. He is responsible for producing visual and written content reflecting Concern’s work around the world and often reports from scenes of crisis. Kieran is Irish and based in New York.
Events Officer
As Events Officer, Erin is responsible for supporting the successful production of special events in New York and Chicago.
Erin’s passion for fundraising was kickstarted in 2019 when she moved to Karibib, Namibia with WorldTeach, where she taught 6th grade students and ran The Girls’ Club at Ebenhaeser Primary School. When her students in Girls Club developed a plan to raise funds for their school, Erin launched a GoFundMe and activated her community back home to raise more than $7,500 (exceeding their original goal by 50%). The funds raised help 250 students purchase new uniforms, shoes, backpacks, and school supplies.
Erin holds a BA in English from UCLA and currently lives near Chicago’s Wrigley Field.
Program Officer
As a Program Officer for Concern Worldwide US, Oona supports the Humanitarian Training Unit’s implementation of capacity building and system strengthening programs, namely the Local Capacity Strengthening for Response (LCS4R), National NGO Program on Humanitarian Leadership (NNPHL), and Building a Better Response (BBR).
Prior to joining Concern, Oona lived and studied in Argentina, Taiwan, and Brazil. She has a diverse work background, ranging from office and estate management to supporting the well-being and resiliency of individuals in her community. This work led her to provide support spanning the spectrum from birth to end of life care. In addition to her work, she has facilitated art and tutoring programs for refugee communities in Portland, OR; interned with PODER JOVEN, a gang and drug prevention program in high-risk schools; and supported health supply distributions in both Taiwan and Lebanon.
Oona holds a BA in International Studies: Latin America from Portland State University. She enjoys Brazilian dance, getting into nature, and anything having to do with her two chihuahuas, Lua and Rashi.
Global Communications Advisor
A former journalist and TV Producer, Kieran has worked for Concern since 2010. He is responsible for producing visual and written content reflecting Concern’s work around the world and often reports from scenes of crisis. Kieran is Irish and based in New York.
Events Officer
As Events Officer, Erin is responsible for supporting the successful production of special events in New York and Chicago.
Erin’s passion for fundraising was kickstarted in 2019 when she moved to Karibib, Namibia with WorldTeach, where she taught 6th grade students and ran The Girls’ Club at Ebenhaeser Primary School. When her students in Girls Club developed a plan to raise funds for their school, Erin launched a GoFundMe and activated her community back home to raise more than $7,500 (exceeding their original goal by 50%). The funds raised help 250 students purchase new uniforms, shoes, backpacks, and school supplies.
Erin holds a BA in English from UCLA and currently lives near Chicago’s Wrigley Field.
Program Officer
As a Program Officer for Concern Worldwide US, Oona supports the Humanitarian Training Unit’s implementation of capacity building and system strengthening programs, namely the Local Capacity Strengthening for Response (LCS4R), National NGO Program on Humanitarian Leadership (NNPHL), and Building a Better Response (BBR).
Prior to joining Concern, Oona lived and studied in Argentina, Taiwan, and Brazil. She has a diverse work background, ranging from office and estate management to supporting the well-being and resiliency of individuals in her community. This work led her to provide support spanning the spectrum from birth to end of life care. In addition to her work, she has facilitated art and tutoring programs for refugee communities in Portland, OR; interned with PODER JOVEN, a gang and drug prevention program in high-risk schools; and supported health supply distributions in both Taiwan and Lebanon.
Oona holds a BA in International Studies: Latin America from Portland State University. She enjoys Brazilian dance, getting into nature, and anything having to do with her two chihuahuas, Lua and Rashi.
Major Gifts Officer
As Major Gifts Officer, Meghan strives to maximize Concern’s ability to end extreme poverty by providing support across a range of campaigns, donor engagement activities, and managing meaningful donor relationships. Meghan works with the Director of Major Gifts to optimize internal systems and processes to identify, cultivate and steward donors across giving levels, with a focus on upgrading donor retention and experience.
Meghan began at Concern Worldwide US in 2019 as the Executive Assistant to CEO Colleen Kelly and the organization’s Board Liaison. Prior to their time at Concern, Meghan served in multiple roles that supported people experiencing homelessness and poverty throughout the United States, which ultimately sent her on the career path of global social justice and humanitarian development.
Meghan holds a BA in Communication Studies and Political Science from Loyola Marymount University.
Program Officer
Huma Nayani is a humanitarian and development practitioner with 8 years of experience with donor and non-profit organizations. Her regional and multi-sectoral experience has taken her through an array of responsibilities and offered her a diverse experience in planning, coordinating and assisting projects. Her focus has been mainly in the region of South Asia and South East Asia pertaining to grant management of humanitarian operations by the European Union. She is experienced in project cycle management, program management skills, research and qualitative review, proposal review and development, and grant management. Huma is eager to take on new challenges and opportunities, which has enabled her work to be rewarding and has provided her the opportunity to work alongside some very talented individuals and teams.
Program Officer
Andrew is a grant and program specialist experienced in community-based, humanitarian and international development programs with a passion for supporting and advocating for vulnerable communities across the globe.
As a Program Officer, Andrew is responsible for providing post-award grant management to Concern’s growing grant portfolio, including programs funded by USAID and its Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration in addition to grants funded by U.S. foundations, corporations, and major donors. Andrew currently provides grant management support to Concern country teams in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Haiti, Kenya, Liberia, Niger and Turkey.
A New Jersey native based in New York City, Andrew is a graduate of George Washington University and has diverse experience across the NGO and public sectors building strategic relationships, implementing programming and managing multi-sector consortiums.
Major Gifts Officer
As Major Gifts Officer, Meghan strives to maximize Concern’s ability to end extreme poverty by providing support across a range of campaigns, donor engagement activities, and managing meaningful donor relationships. Meghan works with the Director of Major Gifts to optimize internal systems and processes to identify, cultivate and steward donors across giving levels, with a focus on upgrading donor retention and experience.
Meghan began at Concern Worldwide US in 2019 as the Executive Assistant to CEO Colleen Kelly and the organization’s Board Liaison. Prior to their time at Concern, Meghan served in multiple roles that supported people experiencing homelessness and poverty throughout the United States, which ultimately sent her on the career path of global social justice and humanitarian development.
Meghan holds a BA in Communication Studies and Political Science from Loyola Marymount University.
Program Officer
Huma Nayani is a humanitarian and development practitioner with 8 years of experience with donor and non-profit organizations. Her regional and multi-sectoral experience has taken her through an array of responsibilities and offered her a diverse experience in planning, coordinating and assisting projects. Her focus has been mainly in the region of South Asia and South East Asia pertaining to grant management of humanitarian operations by the European Union. She is experienced in project cycle management, program management skills, research and qualitative review, proposal review and development, and grant management. Huma is eager to take on new challenges and opportunities, which has enabled her work to be rewarding and has provided her the opportunity to work alongside some very talented individuals and teams.
Program Officer
Andrew is a grant and program specialist experienced in community-based, humanitarian and international development programs with a passion for supporting and advocating for vulnerable communities across the globe.
As a Program Officer, Andrew is responsible for providing post-award grant management to Concern’s growing grant portfolio, including programs funded by USAID and its Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration in addition to grants funded by U.S. foundations, corporations, and major donors. Andrew currently provides grant management support to Concern country teams in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Haiti, Kenya, Liberia, Niger and Turkey.
A New Jersey native based in New York City, Andrew is a graduate of George Washington University and has diverse experience across the NGO and public sectors building strategic relationships, implementing programming and managing multi-sector consortiums.
Policy and Advocacy Manager
As the main advocacy staff member at Concern US, Makayla champions some of the most pressing issues for people living in fragile and conflict-affected states.
In addition to representing Concern at major forums (including the United Nations, the Inter-Agency Standing Committee, Interaction, and meetings of the United States Government), her role involves liaising with country teams on relevant issues, analyzing crisis contexts and events, supporting key advocacy strategies across the organization, and building relationships with major advocacy stakeholders in New York and DC.
Makayla came to Concern from REACH Syria in Amman, Jordan, where she managed the initiative’s portfolio of needs assessments in Syria. In her role as Technical Advisor, Makayla oversaw a team of staff in Jordan and Syria to ensure high-quality data and reports. While at REACH, Makayla also managed the organization’s external stakeholder relationships — from NGO coordination platforms to UNOCHA — to ensure that needs assessments were relevant and strategic. Prior to REACH, she also worked briefly at Ground Truth Solutions in Austria, using data to report on global sentiment towards various refugee populations.
Makayla holds BAs in French and Economics, as well as a Master of Public Policy, from the University of Virginia.
Senior Business Development Specialist
Allison brings over 10 years of experience in business development and program management. As a Sr. Business Development Specialist, Allison manages a portfolio of nearly $50 million in Concern’s US Government and US-based foundations opportunities. Prior to arriving at Concern, Allison was a business development manager with Corus International, leading on USAID and humanitarian assistance proposals. She has previously worked in Rwanda and Ethiopia supporting on program development for private and US government donors. She also spent several years working with a refugee resettlement agency, where she oversaw resettlement and community integration programming for refugees.
Allison holds a MA in International Development from American University and a BA in Political Science from Geneva College. Allison is originally from the Washington, DC area, and enjoys running, rock climbing, and making use of her National Parks pass.
Data Operations & Prospect Research Officer
As Concern’s Data Operations & Prospect Research Officer, Jenna works her Development and Individual Giving colleagues to steward our generous supporters. She primarily focuses on donation entry and acknowledgement management, but is also involved in event support and fundraising.
Originally from Colorado, Jenna volunteered for much of her youth with an organization supporting young people who grew up in Romania’s government-run orphanage system. Post-college, she joined the team at Stand Beside Them, which provides free coaching services for American veterans. Her tenure at Concern started as an internship, where she helped run Concern’s 2019 Spring Run. After a successful fundraising event that benefitted our programs in Haiti, she joined the team as the Donor Care Coordinator.
Jenna graduated from Fordham University with a BA in Humanitarian Studies, a scope of knowledge she now happily brings to the Concern team.
Policy and Advocacy Manager
As the main advocacy staff member at Concern US, Makayla champions some of the most pressing issues for people living in fragile and conflict-affected states.
In addition to representing Concern at major forums (including the United Nations, the Inter-Agency Standing Committee, Interaction, and meetings of the United States Government), her role involves liaising with country teams on relevant issues, analyzing crisis contexts and events, supporting key advocacy strategies across the organization, and building relationships with major advocacy stakeholders in New York and DC.
Makayla came to Concern from REACH Syria in Amman, Jordan, where she managed the initiative’s portfolio of needs assessments in Syria. In her role as Technical Advisor, Makayla oversaw a team of staff in Jordan and Syria to ensure high-quality data and reports. While at REACH, Makayla also managed the organization’s external stakeholder relationships — from NGO coordination platforms to UNOCHA — to ensure that needs assessments were relevant and strategic. Prior to REACH, she also worked briefly at Ground Truth Solutions in Austria, using data to report on global sentiment towards various refugee populations.
Makayla holds BAs in French and Economics, as well as a Master of Public Policy, from the University of Virginia.
Senior Business Development Specialist
Allison brings over 10 years of experience in business development and program management. As a Sr. Business Development Specialist, Allison manages a portfolio of nearly $50 million in Concern’s US Government and US-based foundations opportunities. Prior to arriving at Concern, Allison was a business development manager with Corus International, leading on USAID and humanitarian assistance proposals. She has previously worked in Rwanda and Ethiopia supporting on program development for private and US government donors. She also spent several years working with a refugee resettlement agency, where she oversaw resettlement and community integration programming for refugees.
Allison holds a MA in International Development from American University and a BA in Political Science from Geneva College. Allison is originally from the Washington, DC area, and enjoys running, rock climbing, and making use of her National Parks pass.
Data Operations & Prospect Research Officer
As Concern’s Data Operations & Prospect Research Officer, Jenna works her Development and Individual Giving colleagues to steward our generous supporters. She primarily focuses on donation entry and acknowledgement management, but is also involved in event support and fundraising.
Originally from Colorado, Jenna volunteered for much of her youth with an organization supporting young people who grew up in Romania’s government-run orphanage system. Post-college, she joined the team at Stand Beside Them, which provides free coaching services for American veterans. Her tenure at Concern started as an internship, where she helped run Concern’s 2019 Spring Run. After a successful fundraising event that benefitted our programs in Haiti, she joined the team as the Donor Care Coordinator.
Jenna graduated from Fordham University with a BA in Humanitarian Studies, a scope of knowledge she now happily brings to the Concern team.
Senior Director, Business Development & Institutional Partnerships
As Senior Director of Business Development & Institutional Partnerships for Concern Worldwide US, Conner oversees all new business from the US Government and US-based foundations, corporations, and other institutional partners. He manages a team of highly skilled business development professionals who specialize in program design, technical writing, proposal coordination, relationship management, and donor compliance. Since joining Concern in 2015, Conner has contributed to more than 80 successful grant proposals, funding a wide range of programs across 18 countries.
Conner brings 15 years of experience in business development and program design, management, and evaluation. Before arriving at Concern, he was an independent consultant and provided proposal management and technical writing to organizations including Oxfam, Search for Common Ground, and the Institute for War & Peace Reporting. From 2009 to 2014, Conner managed business development efforts for PartnersGlobal in Washington, DC. In this capacity, he served in leadership roles in program design and evaluation, donor/partner relationship management, strategy, and fundraising performance analytics.
Conner holds an MA in International Development from the School of International Service at The American University in Washington, DC and a BA from Loyola University Chicago. Originally from the Midwest, he loves to travel in search of new and interesting architecture and food
Graphic Designer
With over ten years of experience as an in-house graphic designer, Audrey loves the thought process and problem-solving that comes with each job. As Concern Worldwide’s graphic designer, she is responsible for developing concepts, graphics, and layouts throughout the organization. Audrey received her BFA in Communications Design from Texas A&M University-Commerce and started her career in print. Prior to working at Concern, Audrey worked as an in-house designer for a global prosthetics company. Based out of Austin, Texas, Audrey enjoys going out and listening to live music, playing tennis, and trying out different social leagues around the Austin area.
Marketing Manager
A part of the Marketing and Operations team, Dan manages Concern’s paid digital marketing campaigns and assists with measurement and reporting. Prior to starting with Concern, Dan worked as a Senior Account Strategist for a digital marketing agency, helping clients maximize their digital marketing budgets. When not knee-deep in spreadsheets, Dan enjoys reading, running, and obsessively refreshing his podcast feed.
Senior Director, Business Development & Institutional Partnerships
As Senior Director of Business Development & Institutional Partnerships for Concern Worldwide US, Conner oversees all new business from the US Government and US-based foundations, corporations, and other institutional partners. He manages a team of highly skilled business development professionals who specialize in program design, technical writing, proposal coordination, relationship management, and donor compliance. Since joining Concern in 2015, Conner has contributed to more than 80 successful grant proposals, funding a wide range of programs across 18 countries.
Conner brings 15 years of experience in business development and program design, management, and evaluation. Before arriving at Concern, he was an independent consultant and provided proposal management and technical writing to organizations including Oxfam, Search for Common Ground, and the Institute for War & Peace Reporting. From 2009 to 2014, Conner managed business development efforts for PartnersGlobal in Washington, DC. In this capacity, he served in leadership roles in program design and evaluation, donor/partner relationship management, strategy, and fundraising performance analytics.
Conner holds an MA in International Development from the School of International Service at The American University in Washington, DC and a BA from Loyola University Chicago. Originally from the Midwest, he loves to travel in search of new and interesting architecture and food
Graphic Designer
With over ten years of experience as an in-house graphic designer, Audrey loves the thought process and problem-solving that comes with each job. As Concern Worldwide’s graphic designer, she is responsible for developing concepts, graphics, and layouts throughout the organization. Audrey received her BFA in Communications Design from Texas A&M University-Commerce and started her career in print. Prior to working at Concern, Audrey worked as an in-house designer for a global prosthetics company. Based out of Austin, Texas, Audrey enjoys going out and listening to live music, playing tennis, and trying out different social leagues around the Austin area.
Marketing Manager
A part of the Marketing and Operations team, Dan manages Concern’s paid digital marketing campaigns and assists with measurement and reporting. Prior to starting with Concern, Dan worked as a Senior Account Strategist for a digital marketing agency, helping clients maximize their digital marketing budgets. When not knee-deep in spreadsheets, Dan enjoys reading, running, and obsessively refreshing his podcast feed.
Event Officer
Ryan Scott is a Chicago native and joins the Concern Worldwide US team as an Event Officer for the Midwest Region. Ryan graduated in 2020 from the University of Dayton with a B.A. in Sociology and Human Rights studies with a minor in Political Science. Professionally, Ryan has worked in various roles, including interning with the Ohio Attorney General’s office in their Civil Rights sector and the Business and Human Rights Resource Centre in Manhattan, New York.
More recently, Ryan has worked in fundraising and development for EPIC Academy on the south side of Chicago. Beyond his professional experience, Ryan is passionate about advocacy and social justice work and seeks to merge this passion into his role with Concern. When not working, Ryan considers himself an extrovert and enjoys opportunities to connect and learn more about those around him.
Development Coordinator
Emmeline earned her BA in Psychology from Oberlin College, working at the institute’s fundraising center throughout her time there. Before finding Concern, Emmeline worked at a charter school in Brooklyn as an elementary school teacher. She has spent extensive time performing community and social services in other countries, including Thailand, Africa and Ireland. Emmeline’s passion lies in helping others and positively contributing communities near and far. She is extremely excited to be on the Concern team and making a meaningful impact.
Communications Coordinator
Event Officer
Ryan Scott is a Chicago native and joins the Concern Worldwide US team as an Event Officer for the Midwest Region. Ryan graduated in 2020 from the University of Dayton with a B.A. in Sociology and Human Rights studies with a minor in Political Science. Professionally, Ryan has worked in various roles, including interning with the Ohio Attorney General’s office in their Civil Rights sector and the Business and Human Rights Resource Centre in Manhattan, New York.
More recently, Ryan has worked in fundraising and development for EPIC Academy on the south side of Chicago. Beyond his professional experience, Ryan is passionate about advocacy and social justice work and seeks to merge this passion into his role with Concern. When not working, Ryan considers himself an extrovert and enjoys opportunities to connect and learn more about those around him.
Development Coordinator
Emmeline earned her BA in Psychology from Oberlin College, working at the institute’s fundraising center throughout her time there. Before finding Concern, Emmeline worked at a charter school in Brooklyn as an elementary school teacher. She has spent extensive time performing community and social services in other countries, including Thailand, Africa and Ireland. Emmeline’s passion lies in helping others and positively contributing communities near and far. She is extremely excited to be on the Concern team and making a meaningful impact.
Communications Coordinator
Senior Program Officer, Humanitarian Training
As a Senior Program Officer for Concern, Melody supports the implementation and expansion of Concern’s humanitarian capacity building programs, including the National NGO Program on Leadership (NNPHL), Building a Better Response (BBR), and Local Capacity Strengthening for Response (LCS4R).
Prior to joining Concern, Melody served in multiple roles at Meridian, a global leadership nonprofit in Washington, D.C., where she designed programs to strengthen the international diplomatic corps and coordinated exchange programs, policy dialogues, and technical workshops for various funders, including the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, and private entities.
Originally from Taiwan, she now resides in the great state of New Jersey and is always on the hunt for the perfect sandwich.
Senior Program Officer, Humanitarian Training
As a Senior Program Officer for Concern, Melody supports the implementation and expansion of Concern’s humanitarian capacity building programs, including the National NGO Program on Leadership (NNPHL), Building a Better Response (BBR), and Local Capacity Strengthening for Response (LCS4R).
Prior to joining Concern, Melody served in multiple roles at Meridian, a global leadership nonprofit in Washington, D.C., where she designed programs to strengthen the international diplomatic corps and coordinated exchange programs, policy dialogues, and technical workshops for various funders, including the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, and private entities.
Originally from Taiwan, she now resides in the great state of New Jersey and is always on the hunt for the perfect sandwich.
© 2023 Concern Worldwide U.S., Inc
© 2023 Concern Worldwide U.S., Inc
