AILEEN CHARLESTON
New York,NY
Summary
Multilingual professional with 10+ years of experience in nonprofit program management and journalism focused on gender justice, social justice and human rights. Skilled feminist researcher, writer, social media strategist, fundraiser, and event manager. Known for creativity, collaboration, determination, and fast learning ability.
Effective advisor communicates well with people of all ages and backgrounds. Excellent eye for detail enabling quick identification of areas for improvement and suggesting strategies to help businesses reach goals. Focused on introducing efficient systems and processes.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
7
7
years of post-secondary education
4
4
Certifications
3
3
Languages
Work History
Gender Justice Consultant
We Effect
09.2024 - 01.2025
- Spearheaded a comprehensive project to advance gender-inclusive, transformative leadership within the global cooperative movement, aligning with the UN's IYC2025 theme of "Cooperatives Build a Better World."
- Conducted extensive literature and desk reviews, synthesizing internal and external insights to establish foundational criteria and strategies for gender-inclusive leadership.
- Designed and implemented participatory data collection methods, including key informant interviews and focus group discussions, engaging stakeholders across Latin America, Africa and Europe.
- Analyzed qualitative and quantitative data to uncover trends, gaps, and best practices in fostering gender-equitable leadership within cooperatives.
- Developed actionable recommendations and a strategic report, providing guidance on achieving sustainable gender-inclusive leadership for We Effect and the broader cooperative sector.
- Developed initiatives focused on strengthening women's leadership skills in rural communities to enhance their participation and influence in decision-making processes within cooperatives.
Student Engagement Advisor
SAVE THE CHILDREN ACTION NETWORK
01.2022 - 01.2023
- Managed the National Student Ambassador Volunteer program composed of +1000 student volunteers
- Spearheaded the activation of 102 student clubs and 194 school activities nationwide
- Created and led the first Save the Children Student Alumni Program
- Analyzed program data and created the Student Engagement Team's first Key Performance Indicators (KPl's)
- Crafted key training materials for students and alumni on grassroots organizing, political advocacy, fundraising, community engagement and key issues affecting children domestically and abroad
- Engaged students on periodical state legislative and local campaigns through an intersectional approach
- Served as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee representative for the Policy, Advocacy and Campaign division
- Worked with internal and external stakeholders to guarantee an inclusive representation of youth from multiple backgrounds, experiences, and language needs
- Designed intelligence systems to manage program data, track student activities, and enable efficient reporting
- Served as the Child Safeguarding point person for the Policy, Advocacy and Campaigns division to properly integrate organizational policy protocols and practices
Regional Women's Rights Coordinator/BASTA Campaign Lead
OXFAM-LATIN AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN
01.2020 - 01.2021
- Ensured coherence in policy positions and strategic vision of regional and country-level gender justice programs and influencing strategies
- Reinforced Oxfam's alliances with the feminist movement in Latin America and the Caribbean
- Lead planning and implementation of gender justice initiatives in LAC
- Co-lead the Regional Enough Campaign to end violence against women and girls working with countries and partners
- Coordinated the regional gender justice group and provide support to women's rights country leads
- Provided capacity development and facilitated gender justice trainings for Oxfam staff and partners
- Lead regional and multi-county funding proposals
- Represented Oxfam on themes related to gender justice and women's rights in regional and global forums
- Ensured effective monitoring, evaluation and learning of gender justice initiatives
- Promoted advocacy and dialogue with international institutions, governments, and civil society networks in the region
- Contributed to the construction of key documents for Oxfam in LAC through thought-leadership
Gender Justice Coordinator-Consultant
OXFAM INTERNATIONAL
01.2018 - 01.2020
- Engaged with key stakeholders within the external and internal Gender Justice community of practice including international organizations, donors, global coordination mechanisms, INGOs, women led CSOs, feminist organizations and women's rights organizations
- Monitored and support Gender Justice Platform members with individual projects and commitments
- Conducted and develop high quality and ethical research, situational analyses, consultations, policy documents, and communicate complex ideas and clear actionable recommendations to broad audience
- Coordinated and lead Oxfam strategy and involvement in the 25th anniversary and adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action
- Managed the Oxfam delegation and programming for the 63rd and 64th sessions of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW63 and CSW64)
- Organized and managed the Gender Justice Platform's second and third face-to-face meetings in Dublin, Ireland (October 2018) and Sao Paulo, Brazil (January 2020)
- Brought together gender justice experts across 10+ Oxfam affiliates to create a standalone women's rights and gender justice goal in the new Oxfam Global Strategic Plan for the next ten years and lead the Feminist Principles narrative and launch for the Oxfam confederation
Asylum and Migrant Families Liaison
ACTIVATE LABS
01.2018 - 12.2018
- Engaged with Central American migrant families who had been separated and released from local detention centers through art-based healing activities, kinetic games, storytelling, and trauma healing workshop
- Created social media stories, organized fundraisers, and conducted interviews
- Solicited donations to buy phone booths to be used by the families coming to the McAllen Respite Center to communicate with their families back home
- Selected to be interviewed by Telemundo for a profile on family unification
Development Associate & Gender Focal Point
OXFAM AMERICA
01.2013 - 01.2015
- Fundraised for the Prevention of Gender-Based Violence Campaign in El Salvador and Guatemala and raised $1M overall for Oxfam's programs and campaigns
- Served as a gender focal point by raising awareness, ensuring staff commitment, and providing expertise on gender perspective within the Institutional Support Department Project, and managed and served as lead on diverse gender initiatives and events across the Oxfam Confederation
- Coordinated with foundation, governmental, and corporate development staff to ensure timely and high-quality proposal and report submissions
Education
Dual M.A. - Sustainable International Development, Coexistence and Conflict Resolution
BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY
Waltham, MA 01.2010 - 01.2012
B.A. - Latin American Studies, French, Anthropology
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS, AUSTIN
Austin, TX 01.2001 - 01.2006
Skills
Women's rights
Certification
Conflict Resolution/Community-Building Facilitator, Alternatives to Violence Project, 01/01/21
Consulting
Counterpart International, Washington, D.C., Gender Justice Consultant, Led as the primary consultant for the March 2024 International Women's Day event, 'Catalyzing Women's Leadership in the Green and Blue Economies,' fostering dialogue, collaboration, and action for women's empowerment in pivotal sectors. Orchestrated stakeholder engagement, event format design, logistics coordination, and wrote the final white paper/blog, encapsulating key insights and outcomes.
Fellowships
- Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Fellow for the Bilateral Consortium of Social Science and Public Policy in Campinas, Brazil, 01/01/10, 12/31/12
- Brigham Young University, Guatemala Field Study Program, Santa Catarina Ixtahuacan, Guatemala, 01/01/05, 12/31/06
Timeline
Gender Justice Consultant
We Effect
09.2024 - 01.2025
Student Engagement Advisor
SAVE THE CHILDREN ACTION NETWORK
01.2022 - 01.2023
Regional Women's Rights Coordinator/BASTA Campaign Lead
OXFAM-LATIN AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN
01.2020 - 01.2021
Gender Justice Coordinator-Consultant
OXFAM INTERNATIONAL
01.2018 - 01.2020
Asylum and Migrant Families Liaison
ACTIVATE LABS
01.2018 - 12.2018
Development Associate & Gender Focal Point
OXFAM AMERICA
01.2013 - 01.2015
Dual M.A. - Sustainable International Development, Coexistence and Conflict Resolution
BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY
01.2010 - 01.2012
B.A. - Latin American Studies, French, Anthropology
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS, AUSTIN
01.2001 - 01.2006
Conflict Resolution/Community-Building Facilitator, Alternatives to Violence Project, 01/01/21
Communications, Gender and Human Rights Certificate, Comunicacion para la igualdad, 01/01/20
GenderPro Capacity Building Program, Global Women's Institute- George Washington University, 01/01/20
Empowering Women Leaders Fellow, The Coaching Fellowship (TCFS), 01/01/20
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