Director of Programs and Strategic Partnerships

February 2020-Present

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ENVIRONMENT360 | Accra, Ghana                                                                                                                       

• Oversees development, execution and budgets of programs 

• Supports the growth of organization’s school model, programs and the development of identified key staff of the organization

• Serves as a thought partner to the Executive Director in shaping the organization’s vision and trajectory, and leads the effort to operationalize that vision

• Builds relationships with policy-makers, private sector and NGO’s

• Plans and implements strategies to secure grant funding and partnerships in support of the organization

• Develops and cascades the organization’s strategy/mission statement to junior staff 

• Implements appropriate recognition and coaching/corrective practices to align personnel with company goals

• Represents the organization at speaking events and conferences as required and requested

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Senior Economic Evaluation Program Analyst

October 2018- February 2020

 

Tuvli, LLC | U. S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Washington, D.C.                                                 

Secretary’s Office of Global Women’s Issues (S/GWI)

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• Led, developed, designed and conducted in-field program evaluations and systems framework for women’s economic empowerment and women/girls in STEM programs

• Developed strong monitoring and evaluation system including periodical reports stating best practices for a more efficient program design

• Secured partnerships with NBA Africa, Caterpillar and other companies to implement programs for women and girls 

• Provided technical support to senior leadership and implements project partners

• Worked cross-functionally with interagency to ensure donor engagement and technical assistance for the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (We-Fi) and women in STEM programming, including capacity building with U.S. federal agencies, local civil society and international organizations

• Developed and maintained strong partnerships with interdepartmental, interagency, private sector, implementing project partners, and industry counterparts.  

• Supported senior staff with administrative tasks related to policy compliance, documentation of program efforts and best practices related to US and international standards on women’s economic empowerment

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Foreign Affairs Officer & AAAS Policy Fellow; GS-13

​September 2016 - September 2018

 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Washington, D.C. | Accra, Ghana      

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BUREAU OF ECONOMIC AND BUSINESS AFFAIRS, OFFICE OF AGRICULTURAL POLICY 

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American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Science & Technology Policy Fellowships infuses scientific and technical expertise into myriad aspects of diplomacy and international development, from policy development and program planning to implementation and evaluation.

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• Developed and launched “Women In Ag Biotech” program that has connected 250-300 farmers, civil servants, academics and journalists across Ethiopia, Ghana, Togo and South Africa for discussion, research and collaboration in biotechnology, agriculture, and natural resources

• Developed interactive regional workshops in Africa for women in agribusiness to enhance the productivity, effectiveness, and impact of crop development, environmentally responsible farming, policy creation and gender equality in agriculture

• Partnered with internal and external stakeholders from civil society and federal agencies to guide development of women’s empowerment programs and initiatives in Ghana and Washington, DC from conception to implementation 

• Drafted policy briefs, current trends reports and proposals for women’s empowerment, STEM outreach and agriculture trends

• Provides feedback on the results of global policy implementation to recommend additional initiatives

• Partnered with U.S. Federal interagency officials to create tobacco policy guidance for U.S. Embassies  

• Represented the State Department during international food safety standard conferences and for organizations including Codex Alimentarius and the International Standards Organization (ISO)  

 

Accomplishments 

• After presenting regional workshops in Ghana and Ethiopia, participants created a “BioTech Working” and “Women in Agriculture Policy” group

• Created and implemented “Young Gifted & Brown” program at US Embassy Accra; designed to introduce young girls to women STEM entrepreneurs (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VpYYBOZRyo)

 

 

Scientist II

​February 2013 - May 2016

 

​GENERAL MILLS

Minneapolis, MN

                                                                  

Independently led product development projects from concept through commercialization for dough, partially hydrogenated oil and frozen baked goods and other product brands. Created and executed detailed project plans with timelines, and manage all projects and deliverables to support broader business direction and deadlines.

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Accomplishments 

• Developed methods and procedures needed to improve the processing, storing, packaging and distribution of refrigerated dough products throughout various manufacturing plants that resulted in a 100% on-time delivery rate 

• Partnered with Senior Management, Supply Chain Managers, Technicians, and Scientists by supporting technical functions for the Partially Hydrogenated Oils project.  Meticulously compiled inventory data and standardized the program process to ensure transparency while remaining on time and under budget.  Developed the General Mills position for FDA inquiries, discussions and evaluations

• Utilized technical expertise in applying scientific methods and principals to improve the physical properties of icing in toaster strudel and frozen biscuits.  Saved General Mills $150,000 for enhancing products on the frozen goods brand line and staying within budget for the frozen biscuit line

 

 

Graduate Research Assistant

August 2008 -​ May 2013

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NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY

RALEIGH, NC

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Assisted faculty members with current and proposed research projects within the Department.  Also prepared research and presentations for national conferences and associations.

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Accomplishments

• First GRA to use Microbiology techniques to investigate compounds in peanut skins while improving the molecular biological methods to improve the data set.  

• Managed research budget for proposed research projects. 

• Supervised undergraduate researchers.  

• Developed and implemented Department’s Diversity Policy Council.  

• Drafted and submitted grant proposals for research funding.