What's New with PiLA! June 2018

ARTICLES
 
JOB OPENINGS
Executive DirectorPrinceton in Latin America (Princeton, NJ)
The Executive Director reports to the PiLA Board of Directors and is accountable for all aspects of PiLA’s operations. The most critical aspects of the Executive Director’s role are the health and safety of our Fellows, donor relations and fundraising, management of PiLA staff, financial oversight, Board reporting and relationships, and building and maintaining relationships with our partner organizations and Princeton University

International Development Finance Intern - Enclude (Washington, DC)
Enclude is an advisory firm dedicated to building more inclusive and sustainable local economies. We provide integrated capacity and capital services that help clients and partners design, connect, finance and build solutions that generate sustainable business results and positive social and environmental outcomes. Enclude’s committed professionals work in four registered offices (Netherlands, United States, United Kingdom, Pakistan) and in project locations across the world, including Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, Europe and Central Asia.


Program ManagerPrinceton in Africa (Princeton, NJ)
Work with the Program Director to manage a year-long fellowship program sending around 50 recent graduates and young professionals annually to work across 14 African countries in fields such as public health, agriculture, impact-investing, education, marketing, conservation, and humanitarian aid. Manage the recruitment, application, and placement process.  Provide on-going support for Fellows. Collaborate with NGOs and businesses across the African continent. Support an alumni network of 500+ Fellows.

Women Leaders in Global Health Initiative (WLGHI) Senior Project ManagerStanford Center for Innovation in Global Health (Stanford, CA)
The Stanford Center for Innovation in Global Health seeks to improve health for underserved populations. We leverage Stanford’s strengths across disciplines to create knowledge, partner for solutions, and train leaders. We seed research and innovation, bring new voices to campus, highlight advances in health and equity, and encourage advocacy. The team is based in the School of Medicine, but works across campus. More than 170 faculty are affiliated with the center.
 
EVENTS
PiLA Orientation | Last weekend 12 alums participated in the PiLA orientation at Princeton. Alums contributed to the budgeting session, diversity & inclusion discussions, improv games and skits, region and industry specific breakout sessions, and of course the famous alumni panel & evening reception. As always, fellows stressed that the presence of alumni was a meaningful and fun addition to the sessions. #PontelasPiLAs #PiLAmor
Building Dignity Board | PiLA Alumni, Alexis Alvarez Franco and Michael Ángel Vásquez, join partner organization’s,  Building Dignity, Advisory Board!
 
ALUMNI CORNER


Mai Ann Healy (2010-2011)

Placement Organization and Country: Endeavor Patagonia - Puerto Varas, Chile
Current Occupation: Head of Business Development - BioFiltro
Current City: Davis, CA
Hobbies: Biking, hiking, cooking


What impact did PiLA have on you/your life?
PiLA was pivotal - before leaving for my fellowship, I deferred my entrance to a masters program assuming that, within 12 months, I’d be back in the classroom studying global security. Yet, as I packed my bags for Chile, I made myself a pact that I’d say yes to any new opportunity, trip, etc that would come my way as a challenge for personal and professional growth. Eight years later, I still don’t have that masters, but I can say that I lived and worked in Puerto Varas, Buenos Aires, and Santiago for five years before joining BioFiltro, a Chilean company, as they embarked on their new market entry to the United States. 


PiLA encourages risk taking from the moment that you sign on  - it’s not the typical job/path that most of my college friends pursued and it led me thousands of miles away from all that is familiar to become a stranger in a strange land. But, in the year long journey, you become armed with linguistic, personal, professional, and cultural skills that, before you know it, makes you belong more in your placement country than in your previous life - that to me was a masters in of itself.
 
What do you miss most about your PiLA year? 
My friends and the amazing balance between work, place, and people! Puerto Varas is a gem of a town that nestles between ginormous lakes, rolling rivers, and the volcanic Andes mountain range which naturally draws outdoorsy people to its shores. Yet, with its long rainy season similar to the Pacific Northwest, the inhabitants are known to not waste one sunny day - my boss would hold weekly team meetings over morning hikes or while kayaking on the lake. Additionally, the town enjoys a high influx of seasonal and international backpackers, expats, and river guides so I was able to meet people from around the world who held Puerto Varas so dear in their heart that they either permanently relocated or made sure to return every summer.

I was fortunate enough to meet a few other PiLAs during my fellowship year and throughout my stint in Latin America and they are quite the inspiring bunch. We all seem to be uncomfortable when we’re comfortable, so it’s a group of friends who inspire me to push further every single day.

What was your favorite spot you travelled to in your PiLA country?
So many! Everything from rafting through Andean forests in Pucon, kayaking the fjords of Patagonia, and seeing penguins in the wild in Chiloe! A highlight would be when Janine Kacprzak, another PiLA fellow, organized what probably should’ve been a two week trip of exploring Tierra del Fuego and hiking Torres Del Paine’s W Circuit into an action packed week void of sleep but full of amazing adventures!  


Restaurant recommendation in your current city: Burgers & Brew. I can bring my dog and the patio looks over the farmers market! 

NOMINATION FOR NEXT ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: Jade Smith
Question for Jade: What surprised you most about your PiLA year?
 
MEET THE PILA FAC
Ever wonder who sends the monthly newsletters or plans those fabulous alumni events? Enter the PiLA Fellows' Advisory Council (FAC). Made up of former PiLAnistas, the FAC aims to strengthen the PiLA network and community. Meet the FAC members here!
 
 
 
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