Suparna Dutta, Ph.D.
Research and Policy Lead at SwitchON Foundation (Environment Conservation Society)- Claim this Profile
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Hindi Native or bilingual proficiency
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Bio
Shanshan Fu
My experience with Suparna was first as my per mentor in 2021 and then Teaching Assistant for a course on Global Culture and Leadership that I took in the Fall of 2022. As the Peer Mentor for incoming international students in the School of International Affairs, Suparna was a great mentor and an active listener and very encouraging. She made me feel welcome by sharing her own personal experiences in the program and campus, answered my questions (about cultural adjustment, major interests, campus resources, or how to get involved on campus), and connected me to resources critical for students success in the program.
Sherrine Lynne Boseman-Rives
Suparna Dutta is a great advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion. During the pandemic, we were selected to work together on a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory group for the Pennsylvania State University School of International Affairs. Most of our work was virtual, but her knowledge and enthusiasm were conveyed well. Our goal was to research and recommend initiatives promoting best practices to encourage all stakeholders to embrace racial, social, sexual, and gender diversity. We worked hard, incorporated a new position on the student board, and provided input on strategies to prevent and resolve issues. Some of our recommendations are still being practiced a few years later. Suparna Dutta was great to collaborate with for a language series I developed as Education Chair; her workshop was fun and informative. All participants were genuinely engaged and learned about the Bengali language. She is focused, capable, diligent, and has a great sense of humor. In addition; she is a leader who can tailor her approach to build consensus to achieve optimum results.
Sakshi R.
As an intern for an international research project, I had Suparna as one of my supervisors. Suparna was a team lead and research manager for this project on the US side and excelled in her project management and leadership skills. She trained me on various aspects of the research deliverables with clarity, her encouragement and mentoring further illustrated her effectiveness in people management and communications. I have only great things to say about her team coordination, time management, and organizational skills. She is an asset to her employers.
Shanshan Fu
My experience with Suparna was first as my per mentor in 2021 and then Teaching Assistant for a course on Global Culture and Leadership that I took in the Fall of 2022. As the Peer Mentor for incoming international students in the School of International Affairs, Suparna was a great mentor and an active listener and very encouraging. She made me feel welcome by sharing her own personal experiences in the program and campus, answered my questions (about cultural adjustment, major interests, campus resources, or how to get involved on campus), and connected me to resources critical for students success in the program.
Sherrine Lynne Boseman-Rives
Suparna Dutta is a great advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion. During the pandemic, we were selected to work together on a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory group for the Pennsylvania State University School of International Affairs. Most of our work was virtual, but her knowledge and enthusiasm were conveyed well. Our goal was to research and recommend initiatives promoting best practices to encourage all stakeholders to embrace racial, social, sexual, and gender diversity. We worked hard, incorporated a new position on the student board, and provided input on strategies to prevent and resolve issues. Some of our recommendations are still being practiced a few years later. Suparna Dutta was great to collaborate with for a language series I developed as Education Chair; her workshop was fun and informative. All participants were genuinely engaged and learned about the Bengali language. She is focused, capable, diligent, and has a great sense of humor. In addition; she is a leader who can tailor her approach to build consensus to achieve optimum results.
Sakshi R.
As an intern for an international research project, I had Suparna as one of my supervisors. Suparna was a team lead and research manager for this project on the US side and excelled in her project management and leadership skills. She trained me on various aspects of the research deliverables with clarity, her encouragement and mentoring further illustrated her effectiveness in people management and communications. I have only great things to say about her team coordination, time management, and organizational skills. She is an asset to her employers.
Shanshan Fu
My experience with Suparna was first as my per mentor in 2021 and then Teaching Assistant for a course on Global Culture and Leadership that I took in the Fall of 2022. As the Peer Mentor for incoming international students in the School of International Affairs, Suparna was a great mentor and an active listener and very encouraging. She made me feel welcome by sharing her own personal experiences in the program and campus, answered my questions (about cultural adjustment, major interests, campus resources, or how to get involved on campus), and connected me to resources critical for students success in the program.
Sherrine Lynne Boseman-Rives
Suparna Dutta is a great advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion. During the pandemic, we were selected to work together on a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory group for the Pennsylvania State University School of International Affairs. Most of our work was virtual, but her knowledge and enthusiasm were conveyed well. Our goal was to research and recommend initiatives promoting best practices to encourage all stakeholders to embrace racial, social, sexual, and gender diversity. We worked hard, incorporated a new position on the student board, and provided input on strategies to prevent and resolve issues. Some of our recommendations are still being practiced a few years later. Suparna Dutta was great to collaborate with for a language series I developed as Education Chair; her workshop was fun and informative. All participants were genuinely engaged and learned about the Bengali language. She is focused, capable, diligent, and has a great sense of humor. In addition; she is a leader who can tailor her approach to build consensus to achieve optimum results.
Sakshi R.
As an intern for an international research project, I had Suparna as one of my supervisors. Suparna was a team lead and research manager for this project on the US side and excelled in her project management and leadership skills. She trained me on various aspects of the research deliverables with clarity, her encouragement and mentoring further illustrated her effectiveness in people management and communications. I have only great things to say about her team coordination, time management, and organizational skills. She is an asset to her employers.
Shanshan Fu
My experience with Suparna was first as my per mentor in 2021 and then Teaching Assistant for a course on Global Culture and Leadership that I took in the Fall of 2022. As the Peer Mentor for incoming international students in the School of International Affairs, Suparna was a great mentor and an active listener and very encouraging. She made me feel welcome by sharing her own personal experiences in the program and campus, answered my questions (about cultural adjustment, major interests, campus resources, or how to get involved on campus), and connected me to resources critical for students success in the program.
Sherrine Lynne Boseman-Rives
Suparna Dutta is a great advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion. During the pandemic, we were selected to work together on a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory group for the Pennsylvania State University School of International Affairs. Most of our work was virtual, but her knowledge and enthusiasm were conveyed well. Our goal was to research and recommend initiatives promoting best practices to encourage all stakeholders to embrace racial, social, sexual, and gender diversity. We worked hard, incorporated a new position on the student board, and provided input on strategies to prevent and resolve issues. Some of our recommendations are still being practiced a few years later. Suparna Dutta was great to collaborate with for a language series I developed as Education Chair; her workshop was fun and informative. All participants were genuinely engaged and learned about the Bengali language. She is focused, capable, diligent, and has a great sense of humor. In addition; she is a leader who can tailor her approach to build consensus to achieve optimum results.
Sakshi R.
As an intern for an international research project, I had Suparna as one of my supervisors. Suparna was a team lead and research manager for this project on the US side and excelled in her project management and leadership skills. She trained me on various aspects of the research deliverables with clarity, her encouragement and mentoring further illustrated her effectiveness in people management and communications. I have only great things to say about her team coordination, time management, and organizational skills. She is an asset to her employers.
Credentials
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Business Leadership, Social Change, and Movements
LinkedInJan, 2023- Nov, 2024 -
Corporate Finance: Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG)
LinkedInJan, 2023- Nov, 2024 -
Driving Measurable, Sustainable Change
LinkedInJan, 2023- Nov, 2024 -
Moving DEI from Intention to Impact with Ruchika Tulshyan
LinkedInJan, 2023- Nov, 2024 -
Working with High-Conflict People as a Manager
LinkedInJan, 2023- Nov, 2024 -
SPSS, Stata, PC Give (Oxmetrics), Atlas, NVivo, Microsoft Excel, and various Survey/ Market Research software
UniversityJan, 2022- Nov, 2024 -
SIA Diversity, Equity, and Inequality Training
Penn State School of International AffairsSep, 2020- Nov, 2024 -
INST 501 Teaching Effectively in Higher Education
Franklin University, Columbus, OHJan, 2019- Nov, 2024 -
Evaluator of 2018 Digital Governance in Municipalities Worldwide: A Longitudinal Assessment of Municipal Websites Throughout the World
E-Government Institute, National Center for Public Performance, Institute for Public Service - Suffolk UniversityDec, 2018- Nov, 2024 -
CITI Certification for Social and Behavioral Research
Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI)Jun, 2020- Nov, 2024
Experience
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SwitchON Foundation (Environment Conservation Society)
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India
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Non-profit Organizations
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1 - 100 Employee
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Research and Policy Lead
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Apr 2023 - Present
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Penn State University
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United States
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Higher Education
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700 & Above Employee
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Project Coordinator Ecosystem Science and Mgmt, Water-Energy-Food Nexus Africa Initiative NSF funded
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Jul 2022 - Feb 2023
US-Africa Sustainable Food System through Water-Energy-Food Nexus Networking --Project Management -- International stakeholder engagement (policymakers, researchers, nonprofits, grassroots organizations, academic institutions, local communities, and other external partners and networks --Network development --Event planning (conferences and workshops) --Budgeting --Communications and Outreach (Newsletter/ Website/ Social Media/ Creative Material) --Research, Research… Show more US-Africa Sustainable Food System through Water-Energy-Food Nexus Networking --Project Management -- International stakeholder engagement (policymakers, researchers, nonprofits, grassroots organizations, academic institutions, local communities, and other external partners and networks --Network development --Event planning (conferences and workshops) --Budgeting --Communications and Outreach (Newsletter/ Website/ Social Media/ Creative Material) --Research, Research synthesis, Review, and Reporting --Process improvement and timely project delivery
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Project Associate in Global Cultures and Leadership
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Jul 2022 - Dec 2022
-- Tutoring, mentoring, and advising 30 Master's degree students on developing, researching, and writing policy briefs
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Project Associate International Affairs (Conflicts over Environment and Human Rights)
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Jan 2021 - Jul 2022
-- Build a network of external researchers, practitioners, and reviewers related to the research -- Manage and Collaborate with external researchers, scholars, and practitioners -- Mentoring/ training/ teaching research processes related to our project to internal and external research contributors -- Process analysis and improvement -- Team management -- Timely project delivery -- Primary research, research synthesis, review, and writing -- Quantitative and Qualitative… Show more -- Build a network of external researchers, practitioners, and reviewers related to the research -- Manage and Collaborate with external researchers, scholars, and practitioners -- Mentoring/ training/ teaching research processes related to our project to internal and external research contributors -- Process analysis and improvement -- Team management -- Timely project delivery -- Primary research, research synthesis, review, and writing -- Quantitative and Qualitative data analysis -- Surveys and focus group interviews
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Grants Writer, Foreign Language & Area Studies (FLAS) Grant, Center for Global Studies
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Sep 2021 - Feb 2022
-- Played key role in grant writing with Sophia McClennen, Director, Center for Global Studies -- Awarded USD 1 million by US Department of Education
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Grant writer, National Resource Center (NRC) Grant, Center for Global Studies
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Sep 2021 - Feb 2022
-- Played key role in grant writing with Sophia McClennen, Director, Center for Global Studies -- Awarded USD 2.2 million by the US Department of Education
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Penn State School of International Affairs
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United States
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Higher Education
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1 - 100 Employee
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Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Advisory Group Member
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2020 - 2021
Working with the Director of Advising and Student Affairs, Student Government Representatives, and faculty and staff members of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Working Committee, my responsibilities include *advising* the academic leadership and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Working Committee in the following areas: (1) Inclusive Messaging and Communication (2) Inclusive Training, Transparency, and Accountability (3) Inclusive Curriculum (4) Student Inclusion & Support
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Peer Mentor to First Year International Graduate Students
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2020 - 2021
Peer mentoring program focuses on offering cultural, social, and academic support to incoming graduate students of international affairs. Reporting to the Director of Advising and Student Affairs, my responsibilities include (1) working closely with first-year graduate students in the School of International Affairs as a peer mentor to facilitate cross-cultural communication, academic skills, and advisory for student resources; and (2) representing Penn State during campus activities and… Show more Peer mentoring program focuses on offering cultural, social, and academic support to incoming graduate students of international affairs. Reporting to the Director of Advising and Student Affairs, my responsibilities include (1) working closely with first-year graduate students in the School of International Affairs as a peer mentor to facilitate cross-cultural communication, academic skills, and advisory for student resources; and (2) representing Penn State during campus activities and professional events.
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School of International Affairs Student Ambassador
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2020 - 2021
Working with the Director of Admissions, my responsibilities include representing the School of International Affairs in interactive student events related to recruitment, career, networking, and admissions, establishing channels of communication and liaison with incoming graduate students, and outreach.
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Montgomery College
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United States
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Higher Education
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700 & Above Employee
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Instructional Designer and Curriculum Developer Nonprofit Training Institute
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2019 - 2020
Instructional Designer and Curriculum Developer for Adult Learners/ Non-traditional Students on digital platforms -Program Monitoring and Evaluation -Financial Management for Nonprofits Instructional Designer and Curriculum Developer for Adult Learners/ Non-traditional Students on digital platforms -Program Monitoring and Evaluation -Financial Management for Nonprofits
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Franklin University
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United States
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Higher Education
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500 - 600 Employee
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Adjunct Professor of Public Administration in Dept. of Public Administration
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2019 - 2020
Teaching the following Master's level courses: -Methodological Reasoning and Quantitative Analysis -Strategy, Collaboration, and Communications Teaching the following Master's level courses: -Methodological Reasoning and Quantitative Analysis -Strategy, Collaboration, and Communications
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University of Baltimore
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United States
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Higher Education
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500 - 600 Employee
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Adjunct Professor of Nonprofit Management in School of Public & International Affairs
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2019 - 2020
Teaching the following Master's level course: -Concepts and Practice of Nonprofits Teaching the following Master's level course: -Concepts and Practice of Nonprofits
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Virginia Commonwealth University
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United States
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Higher Education
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700 & Above Employee
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Graduate Research And Teaching Assistant in Dept. of Public Administration
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Sep 2015 - May 2018
Teaching Assistant of the following Master's and Doctoral level courses: Principles of Nonprofit Management, Financial Management for Government, Principles of Public Administration, Public Policy Analysis, Comparative Social Equity, Seminar in Public Administration for Experiential Learning; Land-use Planning and Infrastructure
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Graduate Research Assistant in Center for Urban & Regional Analysis
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Aug 2014 - Sep 2015
Research and Data Analysis for Policy and Impact Evaluation of Urban Planning projects
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Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA)
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United States
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Government Administration
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1 - 100 Employee
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Summer Fellow
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2018 - 2018
Research fellowship for investigating marginalization of graduate students of color in the US university public policy and administration programs Research fellowship for investigating marginalization of graduate students of color in the US university public policy and administration programs
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Suffolk University
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United States
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Higher Education
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700 & Above Employee
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Evaluator, Digital Governance in Municipalities Worldwide: A Longitudinal Assessment
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2018 - 2018
By invitation from E-Government Institute, National Center for Public Performance, Institute for Public Service By invitation from E-Government Institute, National Center for Public Performance, Institute for Public Service
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American Forest Foundation
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United States
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Environmental Services
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1 - 100 Employee
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Program Evaluation Consultant
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Jan 2015 - Dec 2015
-- Advise the client in evaluation development and in identifying key program outcomes, strategies, indicators, activities, and data collection and analysis. -- Provide comprehensive advice to the client on all phases of intervention and outcome evaluation. -- Produce formative and summative evaluation reports highlighting key findings, conclusions, and recommendations. -- Successfully collaborate with the client to develop performance indicators at multiple phases of the program… Show more -- Advise the client in evaluation development and in identifying key program outcomes, strategies, indicators, activities, and data collection and analysis. -- Provide comprehensive advice to the client on all phases of intervention and outcome evaluation. -- Produce formative and summative evaluation reports highlighting key findings, conclusions, and recommendations. -- Successfully collaborate with the client to develop performance indicators at multiple phases of the program implementation and report program progress on the identified measures. Show less -- Advise the client in evaluation development and in identifying key program outcomes, strategies, indicators, activities, and data collection and analysis. -- Provide comprehensive advice to the client on all phases of intervention and outcome evaluation. -- Produce formative and summative evaluation reports highlighting key findings, conclusions, and recommendations. -- Successfully collaborate with the client to develop performance indicators at multiple phases of the program… Show more -- Advise the client in evaluation development and in identifying key program outcomes, strategies, indicators, activities, and data collection and analysis. -- Provide comprehensive advice to the client on all phases of intervention and outcome evaluation. -- Produce formative and summative evaluation reports highlighting key findings, conclusions, and recommendations. -- Successfully collaborate with the client to develop performance indicators at multiple phases of the program implementation and report program progress on the identified measures. Show less
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Global Integrity
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United States
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Civic and Social Organizations
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1 - 100 Employee
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Project Manager
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Jan 2013 - Dec 2013
Project: Worldwide Web funded project on Global Governance and Accountability “Web Index” Responsibilities -- Recruited and built up a network of researchers and reviewers from Asia and Africa. -- Managing the global network of 50 researchers and reviewers. -- Conducted virtual training workshops for the above researchers and reviewers. -- Reviewed and managed the quality of the research deliverables within assigned timelines and quality protocols. -- Reviewed, responded… Show more Project: Worldwide Web funded project on Global Governance and Accountability “Web Index” Responsibilities -- Recruited and built up a network of researchers and reviewers from Asia and Africa. -- Managing the global network of 50 researchers and reviewers. -- Conducted virtual training workshops for the above researchers and reviewers. -- Reviewed and managed the quality of the research deliverables within assigned timelines and quality protocols. -- Reviewed, responded to, and resolved issues related to feedback from international researchers and reviewers across multiple time zones in a timely manner. -- Reviewed the final research output before handing it over to the client. Show less Project: Worldwide Web funded project on Global Governance and Accountability “Web Index” Responsibilities -- Recruited and built up a network of researchers and reviewers from Asia and Africa. -- Managing the global network of 50 researchers and reviewers. -- Conducted virtual training workshops for the above researchers and reviewers. -- Reviewed and managed the quality of the research deliverables within assigned timelines and quality protocols. -- Reviewed, responded… Show more Project: Worldwide Web funded project on Global Governance and Accountability “Web Index” Responsibilities -- Recruited and built up a network of researchers and reviewers from Asia and Africa. -- Managing the global network of 50 researchers and reviewers. -- Conducted virtual training workshops for the above researchers and reviewers. -- Reviewed and managed the quality of the research deliverables within assigned timelines and quality protocols. -- Reviewed, responded to, and resolved issues related to feedback from international researchers and reviewers across multiple time zones in a timely manner. -- Reviewed the final research output before handing it over to the client. Show less
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Columbia University
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United States
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Higher Education
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700 & Above Employee
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Research Consultant in The Earth Institute
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Jun 2012 - Jul 2013
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Graduate Research and Teaching Assistant in Dept. of Earth & Environmental Sciences
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Aug 2010 - May 2012
Teaching Assistant of Master's level courses on Climate, Energy, and Sustainable Development
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Toxics Link
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India
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Non-profit Organizations
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1 - 100 Employee
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Strategic Communications Program Manager
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Jan 2008 - Aug 2010
-- Program development and management -- Strategic planning and implementation of communications and community outreach programs -- Leading communications projects and community outreach programs -- Stakeholder management and engagement -- Collaboration with diverse institutional partners in public, private, and nonprofit sectors -- Vendor management -- Development of training manual for community partners -- Process improvement -- Event planning and implementation -- Program development and management -- Strategic planning and implementation of communications and community outreach programs -- Leading communications projects and community outreach programs -- Stakeholder management and engagement -- Collaboration with diverse institutional partners in public, private, and nonprofit sectors -- Vendor management -- Development of training manual for community partners -- Process improvement -- Event planning and implementation
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Prudential Financial
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United States
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Financial Services
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700 & Above Employee
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Sales Marketing Manager
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Jan 2002 - Dec 2008
Responsibilities --Business Development-Developed business in keeping with company growth parameters. -- Team Building and Team Management-Managed teams of sales executives and sales managers and evaluated team performance. -- Acquisition and Relationship Building- Acquired and managed partner networks. -- Workforce Development and Training Facilitator- Conducting product training workshops for the newly hired sales executives and managers in the team. -- Business… Show more Responsibilities --Business Development-Developed business in keeping with company growth parameters. -- Team Building and Team Management-Managed teams of sales executives and sales managers and evaluated team performance. -- Acquisition and Relationship Building- Acquired and managed partner networks. -- Workforce Development and Training Facilitator- Conducting product training workshops for the newly hired sales executives and managers in the team. -- Business analysis -- Business process improvement Show less Responsibilities --Business Development-Developed business in keeping with company growth parameters. -- Team Building and Team Management-Managed teams of sales executives and sales managers and evaluated team performance. -- Acquisition and Relationship Building- Acquired and managed partner networks. -- Workforce Development and Training Facilitator- Conducting product training workshops for the newly hired sales executives and managers in the team. -- Business… Show more Responsibilities --Business Development-Developed business in keeping with company growth parameters. -- Team Building and Team Management-Managed teams of sales executives and sales managers and evaluated team performance. -- Acquisition and Relationship Building- Acquired and managed partner networks. -- Workforce Development and Training Facilitator- Conducting product training workshops for the newly hired sales executives and managers in the team. -- Business analysis -- Business process improvement Show less
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Education
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2020 - 2022
Penn State University
School of International Affairs, Master of International Affairs (graduating class), Fields of study: (1) International Energy Policy; (2) Development Policy -
2014 - 2019
Virginia Commonwealth University
Doctor of Philosophy - PhD in Public Policy and Administration, Field of study: Organizational Management, Behavior, and Theory -
2010 - 2012
Columbia University School of Professional Studies
Master of Science - MS, Sustainability Management; climate change and natural resource management -
Birla Institute of Management Technology (BIMTECH)
Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), Marketing and Human Resources Management -
University of Calcutta
Bachelor's degree, Economics, Political Science, Mathematics
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