LEIA ISANHART
Summary
Experienced program manager and technical advisor with nearly 20 years of expertise in global health and disability inclusion programming within humanitarian contexts. Recognized as a thoughtful change advocate, specializing in designing and leading projects, partnerships, and technical solutions that drive equity, inclusion, and local leadership. Proficient in written and spoken French, with effective communication across diverse stakeholders.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Technical Advisor, Disability Inclusion
Catholic Relief Services
02.2013 - Current
- Established technical assistance portfolio from scratch, tailoring methods and approaches to improve inclusion across 60+ projects in 34 countries
- Developed innovative solutions for complex disability-related issues, resulting in reduced stigma, improved service access, and the creation of world's largest disability inclusive humanitarian program
- Founded an external technical advisory group with 30 members which led to 4 organizations launching community health services for people with disabilities
- Influenced 2 philanthropies and US government's global HIV program to create inclusive policies and grants
Head of Programs
Catholic Relief Services
01.2012 - 12.2012
- Led all aspects of $5M portfolio, improving program performance and workflows for 9 projects and 19 staff that strengthened humanitarian aid outcomes within time and budget constraints
- Oversaw proposal writing for $1.3M grant which gave malaria treatment to 26K children in Benin
Program Director
Catholic Relief Services
12.2011 - 01.2012
- Directed cross-functional team of 31 clinical, grant management, and data specialists for greater clinical results and donor regulation compliance throughout project lifecycle
- Led first ever transition of clinical / grant management oversight for a US-funded HIV treatment program from an international team to an African Ministry of Health. Iterative systems strengthening allowed for 12K Rwandan patients to sustain clinical outcomes
Regional Technical Advisor
Catholic Relief Services
12.2009 - 12.2011
- Provided thought leadership to resolve technical setbacks for 8 Central African HIV projects
- Delivered organizational capacity building to qualify a Nigerian organization to win its first US government HIV service grant which has since scaled to reach 10M+ people
Program Manager
Catholic Relief Services
09.2008 - 12.2009
- Improved quality of life for 150K HIV-impacted households in rural Zambia through $3M grant
- Built one-stop response center which served 580+ gender-based violence survivors in the first 6 months and has continued operations since 2009
Education
-
EDUCATION
Emory University, M.P.H-
EDUCATION
University Of Central Arkansas, B.A.Special Olympics Family Health Advisory Board
BOARD MEMBER
National Center On Institutions & Alternatives
BOARD MEMBER
VOLUNTEER
Special Olympics MarylandSkills
- Global Project & Program Management
- Technical Advisory & Design
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Strategic Partnerships
- Program Quality and Process Improvement
- Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility
- Cross-functional communication
- Training and mentoring
- Innovation
- Adaptability
Timeline
Senior Technical Advisor, Disability Inclusion
Catholic Relief Services
02.2013 - Current
Head of Programs
Catholic Relief Services
01.2012 - 12.2012
Program Director
Catholic Relief Services
12.2011 - 01.2012
Regional Technical Advisor
Catholic Relief Services
12.2009 - 12.2011
Program Manager
Catholic Relief Services
09.2008 - 12.2009
-
EDUCATION
-
EDUCATION
Special Olympics Family Health Advisory Board
BOARD MEMBER
National Center On Institutions & Alternatives
BOARD MEMBER
VOLUNTEER
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