Foundation Representative

• Jul 2023 - Present

Program Analyst

• Jul 2020 - Jun 2023

I worked in the Office of Strategic Information, Research, and Planning in the Director's Office where I facilitated the development of the agency’s FY22-26 Strategic Plan in coordination with senior leadership and stakeholders throughout the agency. I monitored agency progress towards meeting short and long-range program goals, advising staff across offices on performance planning and reporting, and performing data analysis to support evidence-based decision making. I was also part of a small, cross-office team that built and piloted a systematic agency strategic foresight capability, a priority included in the FY22-26 Strategic Plan, to collect and analyze information on global trends and host country priorities to support agency strategic planning and proactive, evidence-based decision-making. Show less

Project Management Specialist

• Jul 2019 - Mar 2020

As part of the Peace Corps Response Program, I worked with the Panamanian Ministry of Agricultural Development (MIDA), National Office of Rural Development, to develop capacity around agribusiness and rural market development for smallholder family farmer associations. As part of an inter-institutional team comprised of MIDA offices and other Panamanian governmental agencies, international institutions such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, and civil society organizations like the National Committee for Dialogue on Family Agriculture in Panama, I co-facilitated the planning and launch of a local farmers’ market and co-developed training activities that helped farmer associations develop greater knowledge and skills around marketing and agribusiness. In March 2020, I was evacuated from this role as a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic. Show less

Program Analyst, Policy Branch

• Oct 2013 - Jul 2019

I managed and provided program and policy support for programs that promote food and nutrition security for vulnerable populations. I provided training and technical assistance to program operators on legislative, regulatory, and policy matters via written guidance, in-person presentations, and webinars. Through regular program monitoring and interactions with stakeholders, I proposed policy and procedural changes based on evolving trends to improve program outcomes.

Acting Chief, Policy Branch (Detail/Temporary Promotion)

• Apr 2019 - Jun 2019

I was responsible for managing the implementation of 2018 Farm Bill provisions that impacted food and nutrition programming, which included overseeing the timely release of policy memoranda, rulemaking, and the provision of technical assistance to program stakeholders. I also advised senior leaders on program and policy matters, monitoring and analyzing program trends and recommending areas for program improvement or intervention. I supervised five employees, which included training two new staff members. Show less

Acting Special Assistant to the Deputy Administrator (Detail/Temporary Promotion)

• Jan 2018 - Mar 2018

I worked with the Deputy Administrator to inform agency decisions on policy, planning, legislative, budgetary, regulatory, and program management processes. In this position, I regularly liaised with other agency program areas and external organizations to complete time-sensitive, high priority assignments. I also represented the organization in meetings with senior agency and Departmental officials, as well as with outside groups.

Acting Chief, Policy Branch (Detail/Temporary Promotion)

• May 2017 - Jul 2017

I supervised staff in writing legislative, regulatory, and budget proposals and provided programmatic and policy guidance to senior leaders and program stakeholders for several food assistance programs. I also oversaw administrative funding disbursements, liaising with Financial Management colleagues to ensure the release of timely and accurate payments to grantees.

Networks and Strategic Initiatives Advisor (Detail/Temporary Position)

• Oct 2017 - Nov 2017

As part of the USDA Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services' Leadership Institute Program, I completed a rotation/temporary detail assignment where I informed strategy development for the IAF's sustainable smallholder agriculture initiative in Latin America and the Caribbean, which represents almost half of the Foundation's active grant portfolio. This included research and analysis on the impacts of agroecology on rural women's empowerment based on IAF grantmaking and external literature. I also developed a gender-based addendum to a tool used for grantmaking decisions. At the end of the rotation, I delivered a report and presented on best practices and recommendations to inform future funding decisions and program outcomes in this area. Show less

Monitoring & Evaluation Consultant, Agriculture & Food Security

• Aug 2013 - Oct 2013

For the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Farmer-to-Farmer Final Program Evaluation, I assisted with monitoring program performance and identifying and addressing potential issues. I performed data quality control, data entry in the program management database system, analysis of progress reports, and overall program support, including Spanish to English translation of monitoring and evaluation data collected from Latin American and Caribbean field offices. For the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Farmer-to-Farmer Final Program Evaluation, I assisted with monitoring program performance and identifying and addressing potential issues. I performed data quality control, data entry in the program management database system, analysis of progress reports, and overall program support, including Spanish to English translation of monitoring and evaluation data collected from Latin American and Caribbean field offices.

Associate, Americas Division (Temporary)

• May 2013 - Jun 2013

In this temporary role, I supported the Americas Division by preparing press releases, reports, op-eds, publications, and web content and drafted, translated, and edited correspondence, briefing materials, and other documents related to human rights advocacy. I also responded to requests for information in Spanish and English, assisted with research and translations, and provided substantive, logistical, and administrative assistance to domestic and international field offices.

Graduate Research Intern, Americas Division

• Sep 2012 - Apr 2013

While pursuing my graduate degree, I collaborated with domestic and international program staff to research and analyze publications, government documents, and field data in Spanish and English regarding human rights issues in the Americas. I produced summary reports which provided key information for two publications that promote outreach to human rights stakeholders and influence policy reform.

Monitoring & Evaluation Consultant; Markets, Trade, & Institutions Division

• Dec 2012 - May 2013

As part of a group graduate capstone practicum, I conducted an impact assessment of two agricultural development and poverty alleviation projects in Honduras to evaluate a tool which assists donors in project selection. After analyzing baseline surveys and developing a qualitative data collection methodology, I held focus groups and interviews in Spanish with smallholder farmer beneficiaries and project staff in Honduras. This field work culminated in a final report which included a project assessment and recommendations for improving program impact. Show less

Facilitator, Youth Ambassador Program

• Jul 2012 - Aug 2012

While pursuing my graduate degree, I facilitated small-group workshops with high school youth from Mexico, Canada, and the U.S. for the Youth Ambassador Program: North America, a U.S. Department of State-funded three week conference on youth leadership development in the areas of poverty alleviation and environmental conservation. I also supported the development of workshops and training materials on related subject matter, and assisted with program logistics and student management. While pursuing my graduate degree, I facilitated small-group workshops with high school youth from Mexico, Canada, and the U.S. for the Youth Ambassador Program: North America, a U.S. Department of State-funded three week conference on youth leadership development in the areas of poverty alleviation and environmental conservation. I also supported the development of workshops and training materials on related subject matter, and assisted with program logistics and student management.

Graduate Research Intern, Food & Agriculture

• May 2012 - Jul 2012

While pursuing my graduate degree, I researched topics related to international agricultural policy and sustainable agricultural development as part of the Nourishing the Planet team. I contributed writing excerpts for program publications, op-ed articles, and blog entries. I also provided research support for partnering NGO Women Deliver on the topic of gender and agricultural development in preparation for the Rio+20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development. While pursuing my graduate degree, I researched topics related to international agricultural policy and sustainable agricultural development as part of the Nourishing the Planet team. I contributed writing excerpts for program publications, op-ed articles, and blog entries. I also provided research support for partnering NGO Women Deliver on the topic of gender and agricultural development in preparation for the Rio+20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development.

Graduate Curriculum Development/ Monitoring & Evaluation Intern, Sport for Development

• Aug 2011 - May 2012

While pursuing my graduate degree, I supported the expansion of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) co-funded “A Ganar” Sport-for-Development program by improving curriculum materials and contributing innovative lesson plans using sports as a vehicle for job and life-skills training for economically disadvantaged youth in Latin America and the Caribbean. In this role, I also developed program presentations and organized activities for Train-the-Trainer programs with in-country representatives and program grantees. On the monitoring and evaluation side, I reviewed and analyzed survey data collected in the field and assisted program staff with the creation of monitoring and evaluation summary reports. Show less

Environmental Education Specialist

• Sep 2008 - Nov 2010

In this role, I strengthened organizational capacity of local governmental and nongovernmental organizations and community groups to plan and implement agricultural development and food security activities, such as organic vegetable gardening, composting, agro-forestry, and food security workshops. I also employed participatory community analysis tools to develop needs assessments for various projects and activities. I collaborated with Nicaraguan national and local governmental authorities, a United Nations Development Program Volunteer, Spanish NGO Ayuda en Accion, and community members on project initiatives to improve food security and environmental awareness. An additional part of my role was co-planning and facilitating natural science classes with rural elementary school teachers to develop technical capacity and bring more dynamic and participatory activities into the classroom. I promoted hands-on learning, educational games, formal and informal evaluations, practicums, and field observation as an integral part of teaching students about environmental science, agriculture, and food security. I was also actively involved in secondary activities in my community. I created and maintained ecological and girls’ youth groups, developed coursework and taught community English classes to beginning speakers, assisted with coaching girls’ soccer teams, and implemented HIV/AIDS awareness events and activities. As a selected member of the Gender and Sustainable Development Committee, I also facilitated training sessions for Peace Corps Volunteers on working in grassroots development, participatory community analysis tools, and working with host-country counterparts. Show less

Teaching Assistant, Environmental Program

• Aug 2007 - May 2008

While pursuing my undergraduate degree, I facilitated two three-hour discussion sessions and lab activities each week for students enrolled in the classes, “Introduction to Environmental Studies” and “International Environmental Studies”. I met weekly with professors to assist in the development and revision of lesson plans and provide feedback on student performance. I also independently reviewed and graded student essays and quizzes. While pursuing my undergraduate degree, I facilitated two three-hour discussion sessions and lab activities each week for students enrolled in the classes, “Introduction to Environmental Studies” and “International Environmental Studies”. I met weekly with professors to assist in the development and revision of lesson plans and provide feedback on student performance. I also independently reviewed and graded student essays and quizzes.

Intern, Major Gifts Department

• Jun 2006 - Aug 2006

While pursuing my undergraduate degree, I researched prospective donors involved in environmental, social, and economic justice initiatives and prepared profiles to manage donor outreach efforts. I also performed fundraising activities, such as compiling mailings and maintaining the Raiser’s Edge database, to inform prospective donors about the organization’s sustainable development goals and achievements. While pursuing my undergraduate degree, I researched prospective donors involved in environmental, social, and economic justice initiatives and prepared profiles to manage donor outreach efforts. I also performed fundraising activities, such as compiling mailings and maintaining the Raiser’s Edge database, to inform prospective donors about the organization’s sustainable development goals and achievements.