We are excited to say that we have six new dynamic Emerginistas joining the Emerge Global team. Learn about them below! Betsy Greer – Communications Director Betsy Greer is a writer, researcher and maker who has spent the past 7 years writing about the therapeutic benefits of craft and activism. In combining these two forces to form craftivism, she has helped open a global conversation on how creativity and positive change can help both individuals and communities. After spending a decade moving between England and North Carolina she received her MA in 2004 at Goldsmiths College and now lives in the southeast US. Believing in Emerge Global’s mission to use creativity as a tool of transformation and therapy, she’s excited to use her communications experience to help it, and those involved, grow.
Safia Ktiri-Idrissi – Sponsorship Coordinator
Safia Ktiri-Idrissi is originally from Casablanca, Morocco. She graduated from Texas A&M University-Kingsville with a Bachelor of Science in International Business Management. In college, she was a Resident Advisor and a member of the Women’s Enrichment Committee as well as the Gender Equity Committee. While living in San Antonio, Texas, she was a Big Sister in the Big Brother Big Sister Organization. She is currently employed as a Contract Specialist for the United States Department of Agriculture Livestock and Seed Commodity Procurement Branch in Washington, DC. She is a self-starter with an optimistic outlook on life. Her passion lies in her belief that a woman should always have a choice and the means to support herself and her decisions. She embraces Emerge Global’s mission to give girls practical skills to not only assist in generating a fund source but also to give them a voice and power over their destiny.
Morgan Sacco – Operations Director Morgan grew up in the greater Sacramento, CA region and is a recent graduate of Boston University. In the fall, she will begin pursing her Master’s degree in public affairs. During her youth, she spent many summers visiting her grandmother in Westchester County, outside of New York City. It was that experience and the encouragement from her father that led her to Boston University. While studying economics and international relations, she interned for Congresswoman Doris Matsui and at the African Presidential Archives and Research Center. She was drawn to Emerge Global, inc. because of its unique and effective method of lifting young women out of poverty by using their own skills. Furthermore, Morgan is excited to employ her creativity and good eye for design while making strategic decisions in sales, marketing, and product development.
Rachel Sceviour – Sales and Administrative Officer Rachel Sceviour is currently working at Harvard University as a Staff Assistant for Transportation and Administration and Finance. Rachel previously worked at Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts as the assistant for the Medical Director and VP of Clinical Services. She has also been involved in Massachusetts politics working on numerous campaigns and interning in Congress. She is excited to be getting involved with an organization that is so clearly passionate about reaching out and helping young girls who have survived abuse and rape and being able to be a part of their path to self discovery and empowerment.
Balimkiz Senman – Outreach Officer Balimkiz Senman was born and raised until the age of 11 in Ankara, Turkiye. She recently graduated from Wellesley College in May ’09, completing a major in Neuroscience. She currently works in the Pathology department of Harvard Medical School as a research assistant and hopes to start medical school in September 2011. She first became involved with Emerge Global in 2008 and has been working to establish a chapter at Wellesley College. This year, as the Outreach Officer, she hopes to widen this goal and initiate the involvement of other campuses across the US. Wendy Wen – Strategic Partnerships Officer Wendy Wen currently works as an Analyst at The Blackstone Group in its Technology Mergers and Acquisitions Group, where she helps corporate clients explore a range of strategic issues such as entering new markets, competitive positioning, and maximizing shareholder value. Previously, Wendy worked as a summer analyst in the Industrials Investment Banking Group at Goldman Sachs.
Wendy graduated MIT in June 2009 with a dual B.S. in Economics and Management Science. At MIT, Wendy was the co-founder and Director of External Relations for MIT International Development Consulting (MIT IDC), a student-run organization that provides MIT students with the opportunity to work on NGO-backed international development projects. Wendy had also served as President of American Red Cross Team and Network (ARCTAN), where she helped organize blood drives, CPR/First Aid classes, and monthly trips to volunteer at the local food pantry. In addition, Wendy is highly involved in Alpha Phi Sorority, where she currently serves as Alumni Advisor and previously served as Director of Marketing Alpha Phi and Director of Alumnae Relations. Wendy is passionate about Emerge Global’s mission and is eager to apply her professional and business skills int his developmental and entrepreneurial context.
Oldies but goodies Yes, the rest of us are still around too…
Nirukshi de Lanerolle – Bead Program Coordinator, Emerge Lanka Foundation Ellen Sojka – Strategic Advisor, Emerge Global Lyndz Steeves – President of MIT Emerge Global Chapter Rachael Pool – Sri Lanka Country Director, Emerge Global Jennifer Van Winkle – Programs Director, Emerge Global Raffaela Wakeman – Director of Resource Development, Emerge Global Alia Whitney-Johnson – Executive Director, Emerge Global