Wendy Ann Rowe
Director, HR
Waterford
Summary
Dynamic and adaptable professional with over 22 years of experience in: strategy development; program design and implementation; program management; technical advisory service provision and mentorship; implementation and assessment of agency and donor metrics; and financial oversight for integrated programming (in the areas of Microfinance, Nutrition, Youth programming, Agriculture, Early Childhood development and Health). Extensive experience leading country teams and advising non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
6
6
years of post-secondary education
4
4
Certifications
1
1
Language
Work History
Global Director, Diversity Equity and Inclusion
Catholic Relief Services
02.2022 - Current
- Establish DEI programming and strategic priorities that drives change towards a positive impact and a high quality consistent global colleague experience targeting 8,400 staff.
- Set up and monitor progress on global DEI multi-year objectives and metrics to ensure steady organizational progress against established goals.
- Oversee the execution and implementation of DEI action priorities and multi-year strategy in alignment with CRS’ overall mission.
- Lead the global project management and communications for actionable DEI initiatives, including communication of updates to executive leadership to ensure transparency and demonstrate progress toward our global DEI strategic initiative.
- Drive and manage internal programming with corporate culture and D&I focuses, including equity assessment and actions, cultural competency and inclusive behavior-based learning and development efforts.
- Collaborate with thought partners in HR, Overseas Operations, Business development and Charitable giving, Marketing and Communications and Global Knowledge and Information Management teams on D&I related issues and concerns
- Influence and build sustainable relationships with Executive leaders and people at every level of the organization to assist in the development and maintenance of the organization’s global D&I strategy
Head of Programs (Zambia)
Catholic Relief Services
01.2015 - 01.2022
- Managed a team of 43 staff
- Effectively grew the annual operating budget for Zambia from $12 mil in 2012 to $27 mil in 2021
- Led proposal development efforts that resulted in over $100 million in new funding for CRS and it partners from funders including USAID, the US Centers for Disease Control, GIZ through BMZ, USAID, the Hilton Foundation, GHR Foundation and the Helmsley Foundation
- Provided management oversight and mentorship to teams that manage Health (HIV and Maternal health), Nutrition, Early Childhood development, Agriculture, Family Strengthening and Microfinance programs.
- Established program quality standards through: development of KPIs, implementation of project review systems using data from program quality assessments; use of CRS program management tools and standards; and application of comprehensive M&E systems
- Accompanied and mentored staff in the areas of talent excellence and career mapping including identifying opportunities for knowledge exchanges within CRS' global community, TDY opportunities, and opportunities for further education for personal staff development
- Facilitated budget planning and tracking using CRS' Oracle platform to ensure timely financial reporting of public and private funds
- Ensured compliance of program staff to donor regulations and requirements for financial accountability and project reporting
Head of Programs (Lesotho)
Catholic Relief Services
01.2013 - 01.2015
- Led programming teams in the areas of Education (including Early Childhood Development and literacy for Children with Disabilities), Civil Society/Partnership, HIV/AIDS, Youth Livelihoods, Food Security, Agriculture and Natural Resource Management
- Secured USAID Dreams funding and buy in for CRS Lesotho (a program designed to reduce HIV and mitigate the vulnerability of Adolescent Girls and Young Women).
- Provided mentoring support to program managers and their teams in the management of their program portfolio inclusive of partnership relationships, partner and community capacity building, financial management, resource acquisition, monitoring and evaluation, program quality, research, and innovation
- Led resource mobilization efforts for CRS Lesotho including identifying private sector partnership opportunities and determining value propositions
Microfinance Knowledge Management Technical Advisor
Catholic Relief Services
01.2006 - 01.2013
- Successfully supported proposals to the Gates Foundations ($11 mil), the MasterCard foundation MISION Africa ($1.7 mil), the MasterCard and Ford Foundation EFI project ($12.6 mil), USAID funded OVC project in Nigeria ($28 mil), and the Feed the Future Nigeria ($14 mil)
- Served as the economic development lead within the MF team in designing conceptual frameworks for economic strengthening and livelihood initiatives for vulnerable households in partnership with the Health and Agriculture sectors
- Provided technical support in the design of Economic development and financial education programs that targeted Adolescent Girls and Young women, orphans and vulnerable children, and people living with HIV
- Developed a learning and knowledge sharing strategy to support CRS' global microfinance initiatives
- Collaborated with M&E specialists, universities and researchers to ensure that the learning agendas and learning products being developed by country programs are aligned with research priorities and M&E systems
- Facilitated communication, collaboration and learning among global and regional staff through technical meetings and webinars around issues related to microfinance and enterprise development (for non-agriculture related enterprises)
- Facilitated MF sector involvement in industry workshops and conferences and led the development of publications presented at events such as Cracking the Nut, the SEEP network, Making Cents and the International AIDS Conference
Resource Development Officer
World Relief
01.2004 - 01.2006
- Facilitated successful proposal submissions for microfinance program expansion to foundations and government donors—including USAID, CGAP, BPRM, and the EU
- Provided on-going technical support to microfinance institution (MFI) partners in the area of business planning, market research and the development of marketing plans in Eastern Europe, Central Africa and South East Asia
- Assisted in building local MFI capacity to creatively market their programs including the facilitation a strategic marketing exercise to increase competitiveness within a local operating context
- Developed training resources for partners
- Facilitated lateral learning opportunities for microfinance partners within the WR network
- Facilitated the development of a marketing strategy for MED division
- Served as primary liaison for World Relief's Microenterprise Development Service Team to WR's marketing department, donors and other external audiences.
Client Coordinator
World Relief
01.2001 - 01.2004
- Microfinance Consulting Services/Microenterprise Development Service Team
- Coordinated and facilitated global training events and on-going technical support to MFI partners in Latin America and Central Africa
- Provided consultancy and training to external organizations interested in microfinance or directed them to alternative economic initiatives to facilitate community development
- Facilitated leadership development training for WR's microfinance staff
- Facilitated the development of business plans for several of WR's microfinance institutions
- Assisted field programs funded by USAID in preparing and submitting annual reports
- Provided on-going technical support to MFI partners.
Program Assistant
World Relief
01.2000 - 01.2001
- Provided program support to Microenterprise Development (MED) HQ staff and technical assistance to field staff
- Gathered information for quarterly and annual reporting requirements for USAID funded programs and other WR donors
- Provided information needed for the marketing, and promotion of WR's MED programs to other WR departments.
Education
Masters of Arts - Intercultural Studies: International Business
Biola University
01.1997 - 05.2000
Bachelors of Social Sciences - Management Studies
University of The West Indies
10.1991 - 06.1994
Skills
Leadership & Team Management
Program Management & Implementation
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Strategy
Donor Relations & Fundraising
Budget Management (Oracle)
Monitoring & Evaluation
Certification
Diversity and Inclusion at Work (eCornell Issued Oct 2022)
Personal Information
Languages
6
Name & contact
Timeline
Global Director, Diversity Equity and Inclusion
Catholic Relief Services
02.2022 - Current
Head of Programs (Zambia)
Catholic Relief Services
01.2015 - 01.2022
Head of Programs (Lesotho)
Catholic Relief Services
01.2013 - 01.2015
Microfinance Knowledge Management Technical Advisor
Catholic Relief Services
01.2006 - 01.2013
Resource Development Officer
World Relief
01.2004 - 01.2006
Client Coordinator
World Relief
01.2001 - 01.2004
Program Assistant
World Relief
01.2000 - 01.2001
Masters of Arts - Intercultural Studies: International Business
Biola University
01.1997 - 05.2000
Bachelors of Social Sciences - Management Studies
University of The West Indies
10.1991 - 06.1994
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