Counterpart International

We're delighted to have Denis Anguissa join our new business development team as a cost and pricing officer!

On ?? February 6 ??, join us for a masterclass designed to help women enhance their leadership skills and excel in today’s dynamic, complex environments. ????????: Thursday, February 6, 2025 ?? 12–1 PM: Networking Lunch ?? 1–3 PM: Masterclass ??????????: 1919 Pennsylvania Ave., Suite 425, Washington, D.C. What to expect: This is your opportunity to gain practical tools, engage in interactive discussions, and receive valuable feedback from accomplished leaders. Learn from top experts: ?? Elise Young, Senior Director, Women’s Leadership, Counterpart International ?? Lida Nadery Hedayat, Director, Global Women In Management, Counterpart International ?? Teryn Rikert, Executive Coach and Facilitator, Netflix ?? Secure your spot today and take the next step in your leadership journey: https://lnkd.in/e4tvuJ6c

Yesterday, at the D.C. office, we kicked off the year with a potluck, enjoying the simple but wonderful joy of sharing food together. Team members contributed a dish inspired by their culture or personal favorites, creating a vibrant spread that reflected the rich diversity of our team. It was a perfect opportunity to reconnect, share stories, and savor flavors from around the world. As we enjoyed the delicious meals, we deepened our workplace connections, exchanged ideas, and found much-needed warmth in both the shared experience and the hearty dishes. Good food tastes even better with great company.

Solutions emerge when communities, leaders, and civil society work together. Counterpart International joined forces with communities and leaders in Bangladesh to launch citizen-led roadmaps focused on improving urban planning, environmental policies, and minority rights. Through USAID's Promoting Advocacy and Rights Activity, we helped thousands of citizens engage directly with political leaders, influencing campaign pledges and shaping evidence-based advocacy strategies. This approach, hailed as “a model for governance,” is uplifting marginalized voices and fostering a more inclusive democracy. See how collaborative efforts are driving change: https://lnkd.in/e8FYaPHb

A total of 32 leaders from 11 civil society organizations successfully completed the course, “Strengthening Public Oversight Capacities of Civil Society Organizations in the Western Region of El Salvador ????,” an achievement made possible through our USAID-funded Transparency and Integrity initiative, implemented in collaboration with Fundación Nacional para el Desarrollo. During the workshops, participating organizations adopted innovative strategies and mechanisms for public oversight and policy advocacy. These tools are designed to combat corruption in public offices by promoting vigilance and active citizen supervision. The course significantly strengthened the organizations' capabilities to oversee public activities effectively. This milestone reflects a growing network of empowered civil society leaders equipped to drive transparency and accountability. As these organizations put their enhanced skills into action, they contribute to a more vigilant and engaged society that challenges corruption and fosters integrity at every level of governance.

Counterpart International is thrilled to announce the launch of its Economic Advancement Workshop in Paramaribo, Suriname ????. This transformative program is dedicated to empowering women entrepreneurs and civil society changemakers, providing them with the tools and confidence to thrive in their journeys. Through this workshop, participants gain mastery of the Business Canvas model, learning how to: ?? Dive deep into market analysis and truly understand their customers' needs. ?? Develop a clear and actionable business plan tailored to their goals. ?? Shine in their marketing efforts by effectively promoting their products and services. But it’s more than just skill-building; it’s about connection. This week-long training opens the door to a powerful network of fellow women leaders, alumni, corporations, and potential partners, sparking long-lasting collaborations.

Clean water is essential for sustainable development, but making it a reality takes teamwork, inclusion, and strategic advocacy. In Timor-Leste, local civil society organizations such as Funda?a? Hafoun Timor–Lorosa’e (FHTL) are leading the charge with support from our USAID-funded NGO Advocacy for Good Governance Activity. jesuinha lopes, a civil engineer and FHTL program manager, is transforming community-driven advocacy. Through targeted training, she has built coalitions, united 14 organizations, and amplified underrepresented voices, including women and people with disabilities, to advocate for equitable water access. Her leadership recently helped secure critical government engagement, showing the power of collective action in creating change. Here is how this coalition is shaping policy and empowering communities: https://lnkd.in/euG8qdPg

Who ensures community voices are heard? In Abovyan, Armenia, the NANE Charitable Union is empowering young leaders and marginalized groups to shape local policies and create change through Citizens in Action. With support from Counterpart’s USAID-funded Civil Society in Action program, NANE has strengthened its ability to improve lives, particularly for young people, children, and those impacted by trauma and displacement. From addressing stray dogs and waste management to uniting residents through cultural events, NANE is fostering inclusive collaboration and responsive governance. Read the full story to see how grassroots action is transforming community life: https://lnkd.in/eMeTrCdm

We’re thrilled to announce the addition of four leaders to our Board of Directors, each bringing a wealth of expertise and passion to advance Counterpart’s mission.? ? ??Trona Christine Balkissoon? As CFO for Nestlé’s Out of Home Division – Nestlé Professional Solutions, Trona oversees U.S. and Puerto Rico operations, drawing on 25+ years at Nestlé. A champion for women’s leadership, she serves on the Boards of Directors for both the Women’s Foodservice Forum and the National Restaurant Association Education Foundation. ??Chris Gilson? A seasoned executive and former director of external affairs at Millennium Challenge Corporation, Chris has spent decades strengthening global development, including leadership roles at Peace Corps, Catholic Relief Services, and other impactful organizations. ??Fiona McRaith? Director of The Climate Pledge at Global Optimism, Fiona brings over a decade of experience driving climate action. She has worked with leading organizations including?the Bezos Earth Fund, World Resources Institute, and The White House to shape transformative environmental solutions. ??Sarah E. Saucedo? A privacy, data protection, and Latin America legal expert, Sarah leads all privacy and data protection matters as Head of Privacy for Corient. Drawing on legal, privacy, and government relations roles at Mastercard, Visa, and Hewlett-Packard, she brings a deep understanding of emerging privacy and legal challenges, coupled with a pragmatic, risk-based approach to addressing complex global issues.? ? We’re inspired by their dedication to global development, sustainability, and equality. Visit our website to learn more about their careers, achievements, and commitment to our mission. https://lnkd.in/ehWRaYPp

Tina Mucavele, Managing Director at Tsemba Life Coaching, Consultoria e Servi?os, is a catalyst for change, connecting investors focused on education with women and girls determined to build brighter futures through learning and skill development. ? We are honored to support women like Tina, who are making meaningful strides in giving women and girls access to education and jobs, bridging the gender gap in the workplace. ? ? Through our Global Women in Management training program, we provide participants with the tools they need to lead with confidence, grow their organizations, and drive lasting change in their communities.?https://lnkd.in/d8xv5GGD