As an international civil society consultant with extensive experience in helping build and strengthen civil society organizations in Southern Africa, Brazil, Mexico, Southeast Asia and the United States, I am passionate about the power and ideas of people. For more than 25 years, I have worked to make organizations responsive to people–through strategic planning, fundraising and program development.

This work has resulted in millions of dollars of critical funding from foundations, individuals, companies and bilateral assistance agencies for local priorities in community development, human rights and environmental action. But even more important, it has helped to set a path for a next generation of philanthropic, human rights and environmental organizations.

I have been extremely lucky to work with wonderful organizations. I served as the regional director for Southern African programs for The Synergos Institute in New York City, a founding director of Conectas Human Rights in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and Alliance Coordinator for the Global Greengrants Fund in Colorado.

So much depends on the ability to never lose sight of an organization’s privileged responsibility to help bring people to action. I love working with young and growing organizations to set a path for innovative, responsive programs with the funding to make it possible.