InterAction Welcomes Eight New Board Members

At InterAction’s Annual Membership Meeting on June 26, we said goodbye to four Board Members.

A heartfelt thanks to Carrie Hessler Radelet, David Weiss, Devin Hibbard, and John Stephens for their incredible leadership of InterAction through a period of transition and change for our organization and the sector. We are deeply grateful for their service and look forward to staying connected.

As we say goodbye, we are thrilled to welcome eight new Board Members—unanimously confirmed at the Annual Membership Meeting—whose voices will support our evolution as an organization; continue to advance peer learning in Member organizations and the sector; and engage in dynamic ways with the U.S. Government, the United Nations, and beyond as we shift power and respond to emerging crises.

We extend a warm welcome to:

• Caitlyn Hughes, Solar Cookers International
• Christine Squires, Americares
• Douglas Rutzen, International Center for Not-for-Profit Law
• Rev. Eugene Cho, Bread for the World
• Kelly Parsons, WaterAid America
• Michael A. Freedman, Retired, GRF CPAs (formally Gelman, Rosenberg & Freedman)
• Sean C. Carroll, Anera
• Shawna Bader-Blau, Solidarity Center

Learn more about our Board here.

Their Motivations

Our new Board Members shared some of their motivations for joining InterAction at such a critical period in aid and development. We look forward to growing with them.

Caitlyn Hughes, Solar Cookers International:

“I have wholehearted appreciation for InterAction. I’ve learned and continue to learn so much through InterAction’s working groups, resources, staff, conferences, and peer learning opportunities. It’s benefitted our organization immensely. I can’t wait to keep learning, give back, and continue sharing and encouraging others to be a part of all that is InterAction. Thank you to InterAction for this opportunity.”

Christine Squires, Americares:

 “Both my organization, and I personally, have benefitted from our involvement with InterAction over the years. It’s afforded us opportunities to make change together and learn from one another in changing times. I’m excited to give back and encourage other organizations to join us.”

Douglas Rutzen, International Center for Not-for-Profit Law:

“ICNL  promotes an enabling legal and digital environment for civil society, civic participation, and development cooperation. I look forward to working with the InterAction community to empower people to advance a more just, inclusive, and sustainable world.”

Rev. Eugene Cho, Bread for the World:

“It’s an honor to serve on the board as InterAction’s work is deeply personal to me. I immigrated to the United States from South Korea when I was 6 years old. My father was born in what is now called North Korea, and hunger and poverty are less than a generation away. Sadly, his stories of hunger and suffering in the past are the present reality for millions around the world. I was a local church minister for nearly 30 years. InterAction’s collective work, especially around localization, is critical. We have a lot of work ahead to make sure that we are centering and elevating local partners in the fight against hunger and malnutrition. I look forward to partnering with all of you.”

Michael A. Freedman, Retired, GRF CPAs (formally Gelman Rosenberg & Freedman):

“I have had the pleasure of working with many member organizations in the past in my capacity as a CPA and have a great affinity for the work InterAction does around the world. I look forward to working with you now from the inside as a Board Member.”

Sean C. Carroll, Anera:

“It is an honor to join the Board of such a hugely influential organization. I am grateful and thrilled to have this opportunity to hopefully contribute to important conversations on issues key to international human development, including impact investment to accelerate progress on the SDGs, artificial intelligence, and how we are working post-COVID and in shifting power dynamics.”

Shawna Bader-Blau, Solidarity Center:

“I look forward to rejoining the Board after previously having served, now bringing even more experience as an executive director and active member of the InterAction community. Closing civic spaces, climate change, and the impact of global wealth and income inequality pose tremendous challenges for families and communities and leave too many people vulnerable. I am excited to be on the InterAction Board during this time given the enormous potential of our community for collective action.”