In need of freelance services? Just interested in checking out my portfolio? You’ve come to the right place! Read more about my experience and the skills I have to offer below. Interesting in hiring me, please email me at theforeignloren@gmail.com.
From the halls of the White House and Congress to the immediate aftermath of an international disaster, my career has included work with the U.S. Government (USG), private sector, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). I have helped to build nationwide coalitions around key issues at the White House (such as immigration reform) while also planning and executing events for the U.S. President and multiple heads of state. I have deployed overseas immediately following an international disaster to support relief efforts. I have also helped a small NGO to grow and flourish in rural Cambodia. With expertise in humanitarian response and international development programming, as well as experience in communications, photography, and development of compelling content, I have worked with both the USG and NGOs to improve the lives of vulnerable, marginalized, and disaster-affected populations.
Read more about my specific experience and the services I have to offer below.
Writer & Storyteller
My experience includes writing compelling content for NGOs, press releases for the White House and other organizations, technical content on behalf of the USG, and much more. My work has been featured on and in The Huffington Post, InterAction, The Sphere Project, Lutheran World Relief, USAID/OFDA’s Annual Report (of which I served as co-editor-in-chief), AmeriCorps Alums, and many other publications. Check out the above links to read samples of my work.
In addition to this blog, my travel writing and travel tips have been featured on We Said Go Travel and Backpack Forever.
Photographer
Over the past 10 years or so, my love of photography has transitioned from just a hobby to a more professional endeavor. My experience includes photography following natural disasters and of development projects, as well as the second shooter at several weddings. My photography has been featured by relief and development organizations, such as the Gates Foundation and Lutheran World Relief.
Humanitarian & Development Worker
Using my Master of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University (with a Concentration in International Development + Certificate in Refugees & Humanitarian Emergencies), I have been a part of disaster response and development projects in Latin America, East Africa, and Asia & the Middle East.
My disaster response experience includes:
- Supporting the USG’s response to the 2010 earthquake in Hait from Washington, DC;
- Member of the Response Management Team (RMT) in response to drought and famine in the Horn of African, as well as regional deployments to Kenya and Ethiopia to support USG programming on the ground;
- Deployment to the Philippines in the days after Typhoon Haiyan hit, as well as three additional deployments to support a NGO’s ongoing response to the disaster;
- Living full-time in Jordan where I work with a NGO to respond to the Syrian refugee crisis, as well as the needs of vulnerable Jordanians, Iraqi refugees, Palestinian refugees, and others. My work includes project management, program development, proposal writing, staff management, and representation.
My work in international development extends from the White House to graduate work with World Vision in Child Development & Protection; the Ponheary Ly Foundation in education programming, proposal writing, strategic communications, and donor relations; and the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund in marketing and communications, as well as proposal review. Additionally, I have experience with USAID’s Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance, Lutheran World Relief, and International Orthodox Christian Charities.
Photo by Dan Ruth for LWR