Agros Blog

“Agros has the special sauce.”

This is a quote from an Agros supporter and friend that attracted me to the organization 11 years ago as a volunteer, and again four months ago as the new Director of Programs. About six weeks of my first few months at Agros has been spent in Nicaragua and Honduras, attending a regional leadership meeting and visiting Agros villages.

A few weeks ago, while visiting Bella Vista in Honduras, I was sitting at a table of weathered, gracious farmers, being served traditional gallo pinto, plantains, locally grown and squeezed orange juice and the house (farm) coffee brew. While watching the fog lift from the surrounding hills, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of peace about my decision to join Agros.

How and why did I come to join Agros? Allow me a very brief, self-indulgent detour to provide a brief bio.

I’ve been working in the field of international development for the past 12 years. I’ve held positions with several non-governmental organizations, including Oxfam America, Mercy Corps, and World Vision. I’ve worked in strategic communications, resource development, and program management.

I received my graduate degree at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in Boston where I studied public health, monitoring and evaluation, and other aspects of international development.

For the last three years, I’ve been with World Vision in Seattle, designing and managing programs for major foundations such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

About six months ago I was approached by Agros to consider the Director of Programs position, and was instantly intrigued. I accepted the position, and the last few months have flown by.

What are the ingredients in the “special sauce” that lured me to Agros? Here are three of many:

1. Agros is both wide and deep. Like many other organizations, they operate an integrated, holistic community development model that recognizes the multi-dimensional nature of poverty. However, the model is also focused enough to have meaningful and sustainable impact, offering land ownership coupled with a robust economic development program – including credit, agricultural development, access to local, regional, and international markets. However, if you ask beneficiaries what contributions from Agros have meant the most to them, more often than not it’s the “softer” but essential elements of Agros’ program: everything from leadership training to marriage counseling to anger management.

2. Agros feels like an organization at a tipping point. We are making critical investments in the technical rigor of the program model (what is our “theory of change”?), in the monitoring and evaluation system (how do we define and measure our progress?), developing the capacity of our field staff, and forging strategic partnerships in key areas of our work (e.g. child nutrition).

3. Finally, Agros has a unique and powerful commitment to cultivating authentic relationships – between our staff, donors and partners, and the communities we seek to serve.

Like every organization, we’re far from perfect, but I’m excited to be part of this team and very hopeful that we’re putting the right ingredients in the pot.