Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Certification
PUBLIC SERVICE
Awards
Timeline

Evelyn Aissa

Concord,NH

Summary

A mission-driven executive leader with over two decades of cross-sector experience at the intersection of education, human security, development, and health policy. I am inspired by the powerful space where vital social policy issues converge—and where collaboration becomes a catalyst for systemic change. With a proven track record in nonprofit governance, strategic planning, and multi-stakeholder engagement, I bring deep expertise in guiding organizations and networks toward equity-centered impact. Throughout my career, I’ve successfully led complex initiatives across policy, philanthropy, and the nonprofit sector. I am a skilled team-builder and network strategist, known for cultivating strong, diverse partnerships and aligning people, purpose, and resources to drive meaningful, long-term outcomes. Rooted in values of justice, collaboration, democracy, pluralism, and resilience, I lead with both strategic clarity and operational discipline—always with an abiding commitment to working collectively, for good.

Overview

22
22
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Co-Director: Network Stewardship & Operations

Partnership for the Future of Learning
01.2024 - Current
  • Co-lead the Partnership for the Future of Learning, a national education justice network, by guiding long- and short-term policy strategy development, facilitating cross-partner alignment, and designing and leading high-impact convenings to ensure collective decision-making and shared accountability across a highly diverse partner ecosystem.
  • Direct and strengthen the internal infrastructure of a complex, distributed network, managing HR processes, consultant and staff performance, and the relationship with the fiscal sponsor, and; building and implementing systems for efficient, transparent operations that support day-to-day execution and strategic adaptability.
  • Provide executive oversight of the network’s multimillion-dollar annual budget, including cash flow management, reserve planning, fiscal alignment with network priorities, and collaborating with staff and governance leaders to ensure financial transparency, sustainability, and sound resource management.
  • Guide the integration of equity principles across internal practices and external partnerships by identifying and addressing structural inequities, elevating underrepresented leadership, and cultivating a culture rooted in inclusiveness, trust, and continuous learning across the network and support team.

Deputy Director

Partnership for the Future of Learning, Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors
01.2022 - 01.2024
  • Led cross-functional learning and collaboration across the Partnership network of field partners, funders, and support staff; facilitated the network’s strategic decision-making bodies, and; guided the development and evolution of network structures to ensure they supported the network’s strategic priorities and growth.
  • Managed the full budgeting cycle and fiscal planning including forecasting, contracting, engagement with our fiscal sponsor, and aligning resource allocation with evolving strategies.
  • Embedded equity and justice across internal operations, network structures, and partner engagement; advanced inclusive hiring, leadership development, and team culture practices.
  • Directed internal operations and human resource functions, including staff hiring, consultant oversight, and performance review processes; co-led a distributed team environment rooted in collaboration and continual learning; and strengthened organizational capacity through professional development.

Senior Strategy Consultant

Partnership for the Future of Learning
01.2020 - 01.2022
  • Led the engagement of hundreds of partner organizations in the Partnership’s Strategy Regeneration process, working in close collaboration with the network’s support team to build and facilitate a collaborative, democratic process for setting the network’s next phase of work.
  • Conducted a six-month evaluation of the Partnership for the Future of Learning’s Key Places strategy, holding and analyzing in-depth interviews, and providing a comprehensive report of findings and near and long-term strategy recommendations.
  • Provided ongoing strategic management of the Partnership’s Shared Systems strategy – an initiative to center the perspectives of community members and educators alongside district leaders in re-imagining and enacting an education system aligned with the Partnership’s Vision and Values.

Consultant

National Education Policy Center, School of Education, University of Colorado – Boulder
01.2020 - 01.2020
  • Managed a team of consultants and researchers guiding the Partnership for the Future of Learning’s Shared Systems strategy.
  • Collaboratively planned and facilitated work group meetings, conducted and analyzed 1:1 interviews, and project managed the overall initiative.

Executive Director

Reaching Higher NH
01.2016 - 01.2020
  • Shaped the vision of, and collaboratively led, a highly impactful K-12 public education policy and community engagement nonprofit, fostering an open, inclusive, mutually accountable, and purposeful organizational community of learners along the way.
  • Managed all organizational operations, from grant-writing (successfully securing nearly $4M in commitments in as many years), funder relations, and budget development and management, to human resource management, recruiting and retaining an extraordinarily talented and committed team of professionals.
  • Collaborated with a diverse range of stakeholders from school administrators, educators, and community-based organizations, to business leaders, parents and students, to secure, strengthen, and advance NH’s vital public education assets in a highly challenging policy environment.
  • Provided strategic support for Reaching Higher’s Board of Directors, ensuring the Board was powerfully engaged in achieving the organization’s goals and fully apprised of new and evolving policy and organizational challenges and opportunities.
  • Envisioned and brought to fruition, Reaching Higher NH’s pivotal role in the work of Manchester Proud, a massive citywide initiative to build a community-driven, comprehensive strategic plan for the Manchester School District, the largest and most diverse district in NH. Contributed the strategic vision, political strategy, and project management expertise essential to the movement’s extraordinary success in securing the Manchester Board of School Committee’s enthusiastic approval of the plan and commitment to its implementation in February 2020.

Co-Founder

Aissa Sweets, LLC
01.2012 - 01.2020
  • Established a family-owned Middle Eastern sweets bakery in 2012 and worked to grow its wholesale customer base from a handful of local NH-based purchasers to the entire North Atlantic Region of Whole Foods Markets in just two years. In 2025, Aissa Sweets distributes to over 1,500 stores across the U.S. and Canada.
  • Managed overall business operations for the first 8 years, from business development and strategic planning, to recruitment and hiring, licensing and regulatory compliance, accounting (including taxes, accounts receivable, and payroll), and researching and developing all product branding and marketing.

Advocacy Director

NH Voices for Health
01.2014 - 01.2015
  • Led the development of VOICES’ policy priorities including identifying emerging policy opportunities, engaging VOICES’ policy and communications team in the research, analysis, and strategic planning required to effectively leverage those opportunities, and overseeing aligned advocacy campaigns.
  • Staffed the Board of Directors’ Policy Committee and advised both the Committee and Board of Directors on VOICES’ policy priorities and positions.
  • Oversaw technical policy communications and, in close collaboration with the full organizational team, advanced legislative, administrative, and regulatory advocacy at the state and federal level.
  • Led communications to state policy makers including legislative leaders and state agency commissioners.
  • Served as the point person for VOICES’ communications and relationships with NH’s Congressional delegation members / staff and federal officials.
  • Oversaw the drafting of bills and amendments and developed and provided expert testimony at public hearings on proposed legislation.
  • Worked with VOICES’ staff and consultant(s) to ensure that all organizational communications advanced VOICES’ mission, strategic policy goals, and relationships with partner and ally organizations.

Legislative Advocacy Manager

NH Voices for Health
01.2013 - 01.2014
  • Responsible for the strategic direction and implementation of VOICES’ advocacy campaigns.
  • Served as VOICES’ lead policy advocate on Marketplace, private insurance, and payment reform legislation with responsibility for closely monitoring policy priorities, preparing and presenting expert testimony at public hearings, and serving as the primary contact for state policymakers.
  • Developed talking points, fact sheets, and other policy and advocacy communications to advance VOICES’ top tier policy priorities.
  • Monitored deliverables, drafted content for grant applications and reports, monitored and evaluated the efficacy of VOICES’ advocacy campaigns, and developed and implemented work plans to improve outcomes.

Network & Organizing Coordinator

NH Voices for Health
01.2012 - 01.2013
  • Led in the coordination of a network of nearly 400,000 policy and community leaders, volunteers, and consumers, successfully bringing forward strategically framed, compelling testimonies and powerful numbers for public hearings on vital NH health care opportunities.
  • Worked with policy and advocacy leaders to develop and implement strategic policy and network mobilization plans to ensure that VOICES’ top tier policy priorities were attained, this included securing the successful passage of legislation to expand Medicaid in NH and help over 50,000 Granite Staters gain essential health coverage.
  • Tracked key organizing and communications-related deliverables and prepared content for proposals and reports.

Analyst & Writer

The Syria Report, The Middle East Information & Communication Agency
01.2011 - 01.2012
  • Managed international news service covering the Syrian revolution, with readership eventually numbering in the thousands, and edited all publication content.

Journalist & Editor

Syria Today
01.2010 - 01.2011
  • Contributed feature articles covering the Syrian revolution and local culture.
  • Guided staff writers through the process of vetting and developing a story.
  • First and second-edited all feature articles.

Analyst & Fieldworker

Study of Resilience
01.2009 - 01.2010
  • Developed and carried out a mental health study in New Orleans, Louisiana in association with master’s thesis for The Fletcher School, Tufts University: “We Don’t Live Like This in America. Or, Do We
  • Interrogating Survivor Resilience in Post-Katrina New Orleans.” New Orleans, LA, 2009.
  • Identified factors that helped and/or hindered the ability of Hurricane Katrina survivors to cope with the social, cultural, and economic hardships that resulted from and/or were exacerbated by the storm and subsequent recovery efforts.
  • Worked independently, conducted one-on-one interviews with research subjects and a wide range of community leaders on sensitive subject matter pertaining to mental and physical health and traumatic life events.

Research Associate

International Resilience Research, Institute for Global Leadership, Tufts University
01.2008 - 01.2010
  • Researched the construct of resilience as applied to human, institutional, and ecological systems with the goal of deriving new insights into catalysts for improved public health and human security.

Senior Research Associate

The Stern Group, Inc.
01.2004 - 01.2006
  • Fully responsible for the researching and drafting of all official reports filed by The Stern Group, Inc. at the International Trade Administration (ITA) of the United States Department of Commerce and the United States International Trade Commission (ITC) on behalf of international clients.
  • Prepared specialized economic testimony for The Stern Group CEO’s appearances at ITA and ITC hearings.
  • Investigated and analyzed sensitive data pertaining to: US federal and state, and country-specific environmental regulations; the impact of community perceptions of relevant industries on the consumption of related goods; and, the influence of US and country-specific politics on the economic viability of related industries.

Education

Master of Arts - Law and Diplomacy

The Fletcher School, Tufts University, Medford, MA
05.2010
  • Fields of study: Human Security and Southwest Asia & Islamic Civilization
  • Specialization: psychosocial and community health and methods of evaluating and promoting human resilience post-conflict / disaster.

Bachelor of Arts -

Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY
05.2003
  • Magna cum laude
  • Majors: Government (departmental honors) & International Affairs (self-determined, departmental honors)

Georgetown University, Washington, DC
08.2002

Completed highly competitive Engalitcheff Institute on Comparative Political and Economic Systems and related internship at the International Labor Organization, Washington, DC.

Skills

  • Strategic & Visionary Leadership: Extensive experience leading high-impact, equity-focused organizations and networks, with a proven ability to set strategic direction, build high-trust, collaborative cultures and create environments that elevate diverse leadership
  • Policy Expertise & Legislative Strategy: Deep fluency in education, health, and international policy, legislative research, and government relations; appointed to state-level policy councils and trusted to lead multi-stakeholder advocacy efforts
  • Board Governance & Development: Demonstrated success in nonprofit board leadership as Chair, Co-Chair, and Governance Committee lead—skilled in building strong board-staff partnerships and advancing collaborative governance models
  • Organizational Management & Operations: Executive-level oversight of finance, HR, contracting, and program alignment; ensuring operational integrity, team cohesion, and mission fidelity in a wide range of organizational settings
  • Communications & Public Engagement: Experience in journalism and strategic communications and crisis communications; seasoned public speaker
  • Network Building & Cross-Sector Collaboration: Strong network weaver with success aligning philanthropic, community, and advocacy partners to advance shared goals and amplify field-level impact
  • Learning, Evaluation & Research: Skilled in evaluation strategies grounded in continuous improvement; adept in qualitative research, impact measurement, and strategic learning frameworks
  • Global Perspective & Intercultural Fluency: Brings international experience in global health, development, and diplomacy, with advanced academic training from The Fletcher School at Tufts University

Accomplishments

  • Co-Lead 800+ Member National Education Justice Network
  • Oversee Multimillion-Dollar Budgets with Transparent, Strategic Financial Stewardship
  • Led Multi-Stakeholder Strategic Planning and Regeneration
  • Embedded Equity Principles Across Organizational and Network Practices
  • Secured Millions in Philanthropic Investment for Public Education Engagement
  • Recognized Leader in Governance, Appointed to State, Philanthropic, and Leading Nonprofit Boards
  • Guided Groundbreaking Citywide Education Reform Effort in Manchester, NH
  • Advanced Systems Change in Health Policy through State and Federal Advocacy

Certification

Lado International Institute

  • Completed a 135-hour professional TEFL Certification program with 12 hours formal observed teaching time at Lado International Institute (recognized by the American Council on Education) in August 2006.
  • Certified to develop curricula for and teach: English to Speakers of Other Languages including American English grammar, pronunciation, and usage; English for Special Purposes; and, TOEFL test preparation.

PUBLIC SERVICE

New Hampshire Midwifery Council, Department of Health & Human Services, Concord, NH - 2015 to 2022

  • By appointment of Governors Hassan and Sununu. The Council certifies eligible NH midwives, investigates complaints against midwives, undertakes formal investigations, disciplinary proceedings/action, and monitors/amends the administrative rules governing NH midwifery practices via legislative action.


Health Exchange Advisory Board, Insurance & Health & Human Services Departments, Concord, NH - 2014 to 2015

2014 – 2015

  • By appointment of the Commissioners of Health & Human Services and Insurance Departments of NH.
  • Served as an advocate for enrolling hard to reach populations, including individuals experiencing mental health and/or substance use disorders.
  • Advised the Commissioners of the Health and Human Services and Insurance Departments on health policy issues that impacted NH businesses and consumers enrolling in the federally-facilitated health insurance Marketplace.

Awards

Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society, 2003; The Consulate General Prize in German, 2003; The H.T. Moore Prize in Government, 2003; The Jerome Solomon Ginsberg Memorial Award for Excellence in the Study of International Affairs, 2003 and 2002, and; Pi Sigma Alpha National Political Science Honor Society, 2002.

Timeline

Co-Director: Network Stewardship & Operations - Partnership for the Future of Learning
01.2024 - Current
Deputy Director - Partnership for the Future of Learning, Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors
01.2022 - 01.2024
Senior Strategy Consultant - Partnership for the Future of Learning
01.2020 - 01.2022
Consultant - National Education Policy Center, School of Education, University of Colorado – Boulder
01.2020 - 01.2020
Executive Director - Reaching Higher NH
01.2016 - 01.2020
Advocacy Director - NH Voices for Health
01.2014 - 01.2015
Legislative Advocacy Manager - NH Voices for Health
01.2013 - 01.2014
Co-Founder - Aissa Sweets, LLC
01.2012 - 01.2020
Network & Organizing Coordinator - NH Voices for Health
01.2012 - 01.2013
Analyst & Writer - The Syria Report, The Middle East Information & Communication Agency
01.2011 - 01.2012
Journalist & Editor - Syria Today
01.2010 - 01.2011
Analyst & Fieldworker - Study of Resilience
01.2009 - 01.2010
Research Associate - International Resilience Research, Institute for Global Leadership, Tufts University
01.2008 - 01.2010
Senior Research Associate - The Stern Group, Inc.
01.2004 - 01.2006
The Fletcher School, Tufts University - Master of Arts, Law and Diplomacy
Skidmore College - Bachelor of Arts,
Georgetown University - ,

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