I am a seasoned nonprofit leader, journalist, and storyteller who builds partnerships, designs programs, and leads teams to improve lives. Over three decades, I have driven strategic planning, fundraising, and program development for Women’s Centers in East Africa and the United States. I raised funds and launched Centers that have had significant impact on thousands of women and their children. I remain passionate about mentoring others in humanitarian work. My conviction is that insightful use of storytelling in popular media advances social evolution. My background spans executive leadership, field operations, journalism, and documentary-style storytelling. I have led complex projects with international partners, secured major grants, and fostered collaborations with UN agencies and international NGOs. I work to facilitate assistance to vulnerable women through literacy classes, livelihood skills training, and health support networks. One of my important purposes is to share insights from experiences with women's initiatives in Africa and the Middle East through writing and video projects.

Susan Burgess-Lent

I am a seasoned nonprofit leader, journalist, and storyteller who builds partnerships, designs programs, and leads teams to improve lives. Over three decades, I have driven strategic planning, fundraising, and program development for Women’s Centers in East Africa and the United States. I raised funds and launched Centers that have had significant impact on thousands of women and their children. I remain passionate about mentoring others in humanitarian work. My conviction is that insightful use of storytelling in popular media advances social evolution. My background spans executive leadership, field operations, journalism, and documentary-style storytelling. I have led complex projects with international partners, secured major grants, and fostered collaborations with UN agencies and international NGOs. I work to facilitate assistance to vulnerable women through literacy classes, livelihood skills training, and health support networks. One of my important purposes is to share insights from experiences with women's initiatives in Africa and the Middle East through writing and video projects.

Available to hire

I am a seasoned nonprofit leader, journalist, and storyteller who builds partnerships, designs programs, and leads teams to improve lives.

Over three decades, I have driven strategic planning, fundraising, and program development for Women’s Centers in East Africa and the United States. I raised funds and launched Centers that have had significant impact on thousands of women and their children. I remain passionate about mentoring others in humanitarian work. My conviction is that insightful use of storytelling in popular media advances social evolution.

My background spans executive leadership, field operations, journalism, and documentary-style storytelling. I have led complex projects with international partners, secured major grants, and fostered collaborations with UN agencies and international NGOs.

I work to facilitate assistance to vulnerable women through literacy classes, livelihood skills training, and health support networks. One of my important purposes is to share insights from experiences with women’s initiatives in Africa and the Middle East through writing and video projects.

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Experience Level

Language

English
Fluent
Arabic
Beginner

Work Experience

Executive Director at Women Centers International
January 1, 2011 - April 1, 2023
Lead strategic planning, program design, and fundraising to support vulnerable women in chronic poverty and conflict areas. Raised $1.15 million for operations. Oversaw Baraka Women’s Center in Nairobi (opened 2012) and administered five additional Centers in Africa with over 2,200 members.
Program Director at Darfur Peace and Development Organization (DPDO)
December 1, 2005 - January 15, 2011
Supervised early recovery and development programs in Darfur, Sudan. Secured over $3 million in grants to support 37 primary schools in rural North Darfur and four in Chad. Developed and implemented two women’s centers in displaced persons camps to assist women’s recovery through livelihood development and literacy training. Managed budgets, financial reporting, and annual reports. Monitored and evaluated programs through six on-site missions in Darfur. Managed War Crimes Documentation Project funded by the MacArthur Foundation. Liaised with UNDP, UNICEF, UNHCR, WFP.
Consultant and Board Member at African Immigrant and Refugee Foundation (AIRF)
January 1, 2005 - December 31, 2005
Grant proposals and program information materials for student mentoring; advised on program design to serve needs of recently arrived African immigrants in the Washington, DC area.
Consultant at Center for Development and Population Activities (CEDPA)
January 1, 2005 - December 31, 2005
Proposal writing for ENABLE Program to bring education and training to marginalized learners in West Africa. Conducted research and produced reports for USAID-funded PASTEUR program on community-based reproductive health services.
Consultant at InterAction
January 1, 2005 - December 31, 2005
Wrote funding proposal for joint NGO security training program; facilitated training.
Personnel Coordinator and Budget Manager at American Red Cross International Services
January 1, 1994 - December 31, 1996
Provided administrative and logistical support for humanitarian aid delegates in Rwanda, Bosnia, and Central Asia. Managed program budget for TAACS (USAID) a program of the American Red Cross.
News Editor at NBC News
January 1, 1999 - December 31, 2005
News editor in Washington, DC.
Editor and Story Development Consultant at Voice of America TV
January 1, 2004 - December 31, 2004
Editor and story development consultant.
News Editor at KRON-TV, KPIX-TV, CBS News, WJLA-TV, Canadian Broadcasting Corp.
January 1, 1979 - December 31, 1991
News editor roles across multiple outlets; staff and freelance positions.
Post-Production Coordinator at Over Easy Program, KQED
January 1, 1977 - December 31, 1979
Post-production coordination for Over Easy Program.

Education

Bachelor of Arts in Business Management at University of Maryland University College
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 1999
Undergraduate studies, Journalism at University of Michigan
January 1, 1969 - January 1, 1973
Certificate in International Humanitarian Law at American Red Cross
January 11, 2030 - December 15, 2025
Disaster Response at American Red Cross
January 11, 2030 - December 15, 2025
First Aid and CPR at American Red Cross
January 11, 2030 - December 15, 2025
Human Rights Programming in the Developing World at HREA
January 11, 2030 - December 15, 2025

Qualifications

Certificate in International Humanitarian Law
January 11, 2030 - December 15, 2025
Disaster Response
January 11, 2030 - December 15, 2025
First Aid and CPR
January 11, 2030 - December 15, 2025
Human Rights Programming in the Developing World
January 11, 2030 - December 15, 2025

Industry Experience

Non-Profit Organization, Media & Entertainment, Education, Professional Services, Government