Professional Experience:
From 2011 through January 2017, I served as Regional and Executive Director in Rwanda (and later based in Switzerland) for first women's university. Responsible for $2m budget, campus accreditation, partnerships with multinational entities, press affairs, stakeholder relations, fundraising, departmental strategies, overall oversight & organizational strategy/growth. Led Rwandan team from 10 to 40 employees. I launched an innovative student loan business to secure pipeline of target clientele -- low-income girls in East Africa. Led global capital development for loan fund. Lead on legal, finance, and policies erecting a strong programmatic infrastructure.
From 2003-January 2011, I served as a political appointee for the Bush Administration (until 2009), and handled increasingly more complex portfolios and roles at 4 departments: USTR, State, Commerce and Homeland Security (contractor role). For example, at State Department, I developed the U.S.-CARICOM Customs Cooperation Initiative, winning $400,000 for the 14-country project, and I oversaw implementation of: (1) the CAFTA-DR; (2) the U.S.-CARICOM Trade & Investment Council.
I also advised and prepared Secretary of State, also Chair of the Millennium Challenge Corporation, for policy decisions on development aid for Latin America and Caribbean. Resolved market access issues for U.S. businesses. Extensive travel.
Previously at State, I served as the Executive Assistant to Deputy Secretary of State. Managed interface for Deputy Secretary with Secretary of State, and a 10,000-person department, foreign ministers, Heads of State, and business leaders. Travelled globally to assist leadership in execution of daily foreign diplomacy, i.e.: Sudan peace negotiations; Vietnam; China; Brazil; ASEAN ministerial. Supervised the daily agenda, information flow.
At the Commerce Department, I served as Senior Advisor to Under Secretary of International Trade Administration. Oversaw activities and work of half bureau: 1,250 employees in Import Administration, Congressional and Press Affairs. Led public messaging strategy for major trade initiatives, such as US-Colombia FTA, involving complex advocacy campaigns directly with Members of Congress and Chamber of Commerce members. Additionally, I led a WTO case to successful settlement with Antigua & Barbuda, saving USG time and money.
At Homeland Security, I served as a contractor via G&H International Services, and was right-hand implementer and lead to CEO on the Virtual USA initiative.
Advised the CEO on policy and managed implementation of first-ever multi-jurisdictional information-sharing tech platform for US emergency responders, called VirtualUSA. Managed 3 regional pilots and formed coalitions across 21 states, federal & regional public safety bodies. Led to UN partnership, and first-ever collaboration of FEMA in state-led emergency response systems.