Yakhéra S. Litsé
Chicago
Summary
Results-driven social impact professional with a Master of Public Policy and experience in program coordination, research, and stakeholder engagement across international development contexts. Proven ability to support complex initiatives, conduct analysis, and communicate insights clearly to diverse audiences. Passionate about advancing equitable, high-impact solutions in areas including gender equality, education, and poverty alleviation. Bilingual in English and French, enhancing communication in multicultural environments.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Career Transition and Personal Projects
01.2023 - Current
- Managed family real-estate properties, providing tenant support, coordinating maintenance, and overseeing budgeting to ensure operational efficiency.
- Balanced caregiving responsibilities with active participation in humanitarian and gender-equality initiatives to promote community engagement.
- Adapted to new country and labor market, emphasizing professional development and job search efforts.
- Welcomed second child while pursuing ongoing learning and skill enhancement to adapt to evolving personal and professional demands.
AFS Youth Assembly Delegate
United Nations Youth Assembly
New York
08.2023 - 08.2023
- Facilitated discussions on global youth issues during international assembly sessions.
- Cultivated relationships with 150+ peers and stakeholders across organizational levels to foster idea exchange and collaboration on SDG-aligned projects.
- Engaged in immersive professional development workshops to strengthen leadership, communication, and advocacy skills.
Project Coordinator
L’Union des femmes de la Bagoue
Abidjan
01.2022 - 03.2023
- Traveled frequently to northern regions, launching programs that increased women’s electoral engagement by 63%.
- Played a key role in the successful completion of multiple projects and initiatives by seamlessly orchestrating logistics, resources, and timelines.
- Coordinated meetings and tracked committee progress to ensure clear communication and timely updates.
- Supported budget preparation and monitoring for public events and program development, enabling effective resource allocation.
- Compiled weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports on key performance indicators to facilitate continuous improvement and maximize impact.
- Empowered over 250 women through more than 10 targeted financial literacy trainings.
Program Assistant, Peace and Security
ECOWAS
Abuja
01.2021 - 06.2021
- Collaborated with diverse stakeholders to establish strategic partnerships advancing Vision 2050 agenda.
- Developed innovative strategies with team members to broaden and deepen program scope.
- Facilitated communication and leadership initiatives focused on youth empowerment, children's rights, and gender equality.
- Coordinated meetings and managed budget preparation for public and private events.
- Drafted reports including country-specific sociopolitical updates for precise analysis.
- Edited, proofread, and translated complex documents between French and English.
Digital Activist, Volunteer
Voices for Social Change
07.2019 - 03.2020
- Researched poverty and female education gaps in Africa, shaping targeted awareness campaigns.
- Created engaging content for Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, enhancing audience engagement.
- Managed daily social media operations and community interactions, fostering a supportive online community.
Intern
U.S.-Africa Business Center, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Washington
01.2019 - 05.2019
- Conducted research on U.S.-Africa trade relations and economic policies to inform strategic decisions.
- Coordinated investment roundtables with dignitaries from Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and Angola during IMF/World Bank spring meetings.
- Created and refined communication materials, including reports, articles, and social media content, to effectively convey program initiatives.
- Developed bios and newsletters that effectively communicated program activities.
- Worked with team members to improve clarity and impact of weekly reports, briefing papers, and talking points.
Graduate Consultant
You’re With Us!
Boston
09.2018 - 12.2018
- Compiled and reviewed data on Turning 22 program for students with disabilities using quantitative and qualitative methods.
- Researched global disability policies, informing program enhancements and aligning with best practices.
- Conducted interviews with approximately 50 students, parents, teachers, and DDS representatives to assess needs and concerns.
- Advocated for program needs and facilitated communication between leadership and stakeholders, ensuring alignment on goals.
- Collaborated with team members to analyze data, synthesize findings, and develop actionable strategies.
- Developed targeted recommendations from stakeholder feedback, addressing program limitations and fostering continuous improvement.
Research Intern
Cargill West Africa
Abidjan
06.2017 - 09.2017
- Facilitated three workshops that advanced women's empowerment and girls' education, actively addressing child labor issues.
- Contributed to program evaluation for women in cocoa empowerment and village savings initiatives with CARE International, enhancing project insights.
- Managed and updated a database of over 500 Ivorian cocoa farmers engaged with Cargill.
- Assisted senior staff with administrative tasks during meetings and project planning, ensuring smooth operational processes.
Education
Master of Public Policy -
Northeastern University
Boston, MABachelor of Business Administration - Finance
Georgia State University
Atlanta, GAChangemakers Program Certificate -
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PAUnited Nations Young Leaders Certificate -
UNITAR
Gender Equality in Humanitarian Action Certificate -
UNICEF
Skills
- Program development
- Nonprofit management
- Program coordination
- Community outreach
- Strategic partnership development
- Stakeholder engagement
- Policy analysis
- Data-driven decision making
- Research and analysis
- Project management
- Financial planning
- Leadership development
- Cross-cultural collaboration
- Diversity initiatives
- Organizational skills
- Social impact
- Public speaking
- Multicultural competence
Certification
- Changemakers Program Certificate, University of Pennsylvania
- United Nations Young Leaders Certificate, UNITAR
- Gender Equality in Humanitarian Action Certificate, UNICEF
Languages
- English
- French
Causes
- Gender Equality
- Quality Education
- Youth Empowerment
- Children’s Rights
- Poverty Eradication
- Peace and Democracy
Timeline
AFS Youth Assembly Delegate
United Nations Youth Assembly
08.2023 - 08.2023
Career Transition and Personal Projects
01.2023 - Current
Project Coordinator
L’Union des femmes de la Bagoue
01.2022 - 03.2023
Program Assistant, Peace and Security
ECOWAS
01.2021 - 06.2021
Digital Activist, Volunteer
Voices for Social Change
07.2019 - 03.2020
Intern
U.S.-Africa Business Center, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
01.2019 - 05.2019
Graduate Consultant
You’re With Us!
09.2018 - 12.2018
Research Intern
Cargill West Africa
06.2017 - 09.2017
Master of Public Policy -
Northeastern University
Bachelor of Business Administration - Finance
Georgia State University
Changemakers Program Certificate -
University of Pennsylvania
United Nations Young Leaders Certificate -
UNITAR
Gender Equality in Humanitarian Action Certificate -
UNICEF