Welcome to Brazen Careerist!

About Me

I served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Niger, West Africa at the end of the 1990's. Since then, I've devoted my career to poverty relief and international development.

I have a MA in International Relations and a MPA in International Development Project Management. I currently work as a Program Officer for an International Development Non-Governmental Organization, where I support Food Security and Emergency Relief programs in West Africa.

I'm interested in innovation, I'm attracted to Brazen Careerist because of the general vibe; that you can evolve and constantly improve yourself professionally. I also appreciate the focus on the fact that you can't truly separate your professional and personal development.

Work History

• International Relief and Development, Inc.
• Program Officer
• March 2009 to Present

• Sustainable Food and Agriculture Systems Team
  • Backstopping and administering Agriculture and Food Security programs in West and Central Africa.
  Iraq Team
  • Acting as desk officer, backstopping USAID-funded projects in Iraq, including Community Stabilization Program (CSP)and Humanitarian Assistance for Iraq (HAI),
  • Acted as program team lead in successful $8 million proposal to the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance for IRD’s 2009-2010 Humanitarian Assistance activities in Iraq. Researched relevant data and helped refine proposal for submission.
  • Performed line-item, detailed audit of $40 million security subcontract in Iraq, resulting in significant changes to our contract, reducing IRD's exposure to disallowable costs.

• International Relief and Development, Inc.
• International Recruitment Officer
• March 2008 to March 2009

• • Recruited for International Relief and Development (www.ird-dc.org), a non-governmental organization specializing in emergency relief, public health, infrastructure, agriculture, and democracy and governance projects worldwide.
  • Responsible for recruiting and hiring qualified candidates for home office and overseas field positions with IRD, Inc, an international NGO.
  • Sourced candidates for a wide range of positions, including key staff for USAID proposals, as well as field and home office positions.
  • Hired or secured 50 candidates for USAID and other donor contracts, field, and home office positions.
  • Acted as recruiting IT contact point for IRD's applicant tracking system and other social and professional networking services.

Education

• Monterey Institute of International Studies
• Masters of Public Administration, International Development Project Management, Capacity Building
• 2006 - 2007

• San Francisco State University
• Masters, International Relations, African Economic Development
• 2002 - 2005