Alex joined SEEP in 2019 as Executive Director. In this capacity, he supports SEEP’s committed and talented team in the execution of programs and initiatives, keeping focus on innovation and transformation of the SEEP Network, building on its proud history and current work.
Prior to joining SEEP, Alex served as the Chief Innovation Officer at CIVICUS World Alliance for Citizen Participation, a 6000+ global network of civil society organizations and activists. He led key initiatives at the intersection of data, technology, and civil society advocacy and strengthening. Prior to this, Alex worked at Counterpart International, where he held a variety of leadership positions for more than a decade, including overseeing the organization’s $60-million programs portfolio in more than 25 countries, partnering with 3,400 organizations, as its Vice President of Programmes.
Born in Iran, he and his family have benefited first-hand from the important role citizen action and community organizations play in improving lives especially at times of crisis. Alex spent a good part of his adult life in Armenia—his ancestral homeland—where he worked with and learned from local leaders as they forged a new path after independence from the Soviet Union. He is passionate about figuring out how human beings can have a louder, more powerful voice and unhindered agency in what happens to their lives and in their communities; he firmly believes to never ask for permission when what’s at stake is ensuring human dignity.
Mashal supports the development and implementation of SEEP’s digital communications, including outreach and advocacy campaigns, social media, the SEEP blog and partner relations. In addition, she explores and manages platforms conducive to learning for SEEP events. Prior to joining SEEP, Mashal lent research and editing support to a variety of books and publications in international politics at Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI, where she also received her Master’s degree in International Affairs. She has experience working in consular affairs with the Canadian High Commission in Islamabad and received a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the Lahore University of Management Sciences. Mashal is an avid photographer and an occasional stand-up comedian.
As the Member Affairs and Global Communications Director, Carla de Chassy oversees the implementation of SEEP’s member engagement strategies, digital communications on our global platform, and planning and production of the SEEP Annual Conference. Prior to joining SEEP, Carla served in the role of Employment Counselor and Bilingual Interpreter for asylum seekers at Northern Virginia Family Service. Previously, she served as Executive Director of the Washington, D.C. Chapter of the French-American Chamber of Commerce, and has worked in the U.S. and France in various business development capacities. Carla has an MBA from HEC Business School and a BA in International Relations from Pomona College. She enjoys sailing on the Chesapeake Bay with her family.
Fabiola Diaz is the Program Manager for Women's Economic Empowerment & Savings Groups. In this role, she is responsible for managing the Women’s Economic Empowerment Global Learning Forum and the Mastercard Foundation Savings Portfolio Partnership. She works with senior management to cultivate strategic alliances and support learning initiative design and implementation in the thematic areas of Women’s Economic Empowerment and Financial Inclusion through Savings Groups. Prior to joining SEEP, Fabiola worked at RESULTS Educational Fund as a Program Manager for the Microcredit Summit Campaign advocating for financial inclusion to improve the lives of the poor. She is originally from Venezuela and holds a BS and MS in Economics and Latin American Studies from the University of Cologne, Germany. She is fluent in English, Spanish, and German.
Mbayang Diouf Diop is the Director of Finance at the SEEP Network. She is responsible for the financial, accounting and administrative operations of the organization, and is a certified public accountant with more than 15 years of experience in non-profit financial management. She has a proven track record of driving sustainable growth in partnership with senior industry board members, is conversant in all aspects of operations and grant management, and has successfully led the preparation of multiple organization-wide audits. Prior to assuming the position of SEEP’s Director of Finance, Mbayang served several non-profits in the DC area. Mbayang has a deep interest in women economic empowerment in developing countries. Like Kofi Annan, she believes that “there is no tool for development more effective than the empowerment of women.”
As Officer for Learning & Programs, Bri works to enable innovative and effective learning opportunities and methods across SEEP programming through Peer Learning Groups, conferences, trainings and webinars. Since joining SEEP in 2016, she supports several ongoing initiatives focused on learning and collaboration within Women’s Economic Empowerment and financial inclusion through Savings Groups, including coordination of the Women’s Economic Empowerment Working Group.
Bri graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a BA in Political Science and Spanish, and a minor in Chinese Language and Culture. She speaks English, Spanish, and Mandarin.
David Panetta leads the SEEP Network’s portfolio in the area of Savings Groups. With 14 years of experience in international development, he has worked with numerous donor agencies, consultancies, academic institutions and NGOs in over 25 countries, focused on access to finance, inclusive market systems, and knowledge management. David has led the development of Savings Group initiatives in 19 countries – working with the Aga Khan Foundation, DFID, Plan International, Mercy Corps, VSL Associates, World Vision, and over one hundred local NGOs and governments. He has a Master’s in Economics from McGill University and is fluent in English, French, and Spanish. David was introduced to Savings Groups in the Jamuna river basin in northern Bangladesh in 2006, and inspired by the words of Stuart Rutherford: “The ability to save and borrow frequently in small, flexible amounts will not propel a household out of poverty. But it’s pretty darn useful.”
As the Program Assistant, Programs and Network Advancement, Caroline Smith supports member engagement and digital communications. Prior to joining SEEP, Caroline worked in foreign policy and advocacy as a Herbert Scoville Jr. Peace Fellow at Win Without War. She graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a BPhil in International Area Studies (Conflict Resolution) and Political Science, as well as a minor in Turkish. She speaks English, Arabic, and Turkish and enjoys practicing her basic French skills.
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