Agros Blog

Today Agros makes the exciting announcement that Hans P. Theyer has been selected as President & CEO, effective June 1, 2009.

By way of introducing Hans to the Agros community we recently asked him to respond to the following questions.

What drew you to the Agros position?

The possibility of helping and serving the poor in both the regions where Agros is already working, and in regions where Agros is considering to one day expand.

Agros has a model that actually breaks the cycle of poverty for rural communities. In developing economies, this cycle of poverty and suffering is passed on from generation to generation and sadly is not a condition children can easily overcome.

The key to breaking cyclical poverty for the rural poor is in taking a long-term, holistic approach. This must certainly include empowering families to work and increase their income, as well as helping them to build long-term assets. But in order for the economic component to be successful we must also look at the whole person within the whole community.

To use a familiar analogy, what Agros does is not only teach families how to fish, but how to sell the fish, and to care for the pond. And most importantly, Agros does this in a way where the families themselves become owners of the pond!

We already know that bottom-up strategies that empower rural families over the long-term are more effective than short-term, individual interventions. And for the rural poor, those families depend so much on land for food, security and shelter. Being able to own your own land for these families is not just a dream, it’s essential!

These are just a few of the reasons why I’m honored to be able to join and serve this unique mission!

And then from a personal perspective, working for Agros is a dream come true. Working at Agros is a place where I can integrate the personal, spiritual and professional realms. I come from a background in Latin America where men define themselves in terms of their careers and professional accomplishment, and this does not necessarily go hand in hand with personal growth and serving others.

As you think about the days ahead for Agros, what excites you the most?

It is hard to prioritize — there are so many things. Let me share just a few.

Today I was looking through pictures from our Program Director, Laurie Werner, of families in El Salvador signing their land title deeds after paying off their land loans. Even from a distance I can feel what this means to them and how, previously, obtaining land ownership was a far away dream. But now the dream for these families has come true.

As I’ve had the chance to interact with (Agros founder) Skip, the board and the Agros executive leadership team, it has indeed been a pleasure as they set such a high personal and professional example. I have also interacted with several Journey With a Village partners, and have seen how their eyes and smiles brighten when they speak of their experiences and their connection to their “extended families” in the villages. I can sense how enriching these partnerships are to villagers as well.

I also remember how the Agros staff welcomed me so warmly just a few days ago and I must admit this is one of the most dedicated and knowledgeable teams I have ever seen.

Lastly, for me as well as for my wife and two sons, this opportunity is a joy and a blessing.

Tell us about your past work experience and how it relates to Agros?

First, I believe that my experiences with rural realities in so many different countries give me a good understanding of the challenges our villagers are facing and how Agros’ holistic approach can offer a lasting solution. I have had the chance to work in South East Asia, China and India, as well as throughout Latin America. While these regions are all fairly different from one another, they also have commonalities and similar challenges in their underserved communities.

Secondly, with a background in business, economics, and most recently having brought leadership to Microsoft’s rural computing efforts for emerging economies, I feel I can bring Agros a balance between strategic vision and a results-driven approach, knowing that strong partnerships, relationships, and teamwork are essential.

I have also worked both in the field and in corporate headquarters, giving me an understanding of “both worlds”, a valuable asset for managing our Seattle and country teams in the five countries where we operate.

Lastly, I have worked with and led multicultural and interdisciplinary teams, creating partnerships between many diverse entities, which is also the case at Agros. Creating effective partnerships across cultures, languages, and geographies is a key part of what Agros does.

As you look forward, what do you see in store for Agros?

A time for growth and larger impact! As I recently shared with the Leadership Team, Agros’ work is not only unique and effective, but transformative for everyone involved. Agros has done a good job sharing the work with their current base of supporters, but I believe we have an opportunity to gently but firmly take Agros’ light from under the basket and let it shine in many new places!

Globally, there are so many issues that cry out for sustainable solutions.  Whether it’s the world food crisis, environmental sustainability and over-consumption of resources, or the increasingly linked economies of the developing and developed world; we are in a time where Agros has much to offer.

Alleviating poverty is hard work. There are no quick solutions and so much depends on the generosity of supporters. However, I simply believe that Agros’ work is too effective, too transformative, and too important to not work as hard as we can toward that dream of “mil-Agros”  (In Spanish,  “a thousand Agros Villages” and/or “a thousand miracles.”)

Any last thoughts you wish to share?

Yes. I want to thank Skip, Susan Moulton and the Board, as well as the Agros Leadership Team and staff for how they have already welcomed me. And I can’t wait to meet our hard- working field staff and country directors.

I also want to thank our donors and partners for their support in making Agros the blessing it is for so many today, as well as for the many more rural, poor families we wish to touch. I look forward to meeting and getting to know our current family of supporters, as well as reaching out to new supporters and partners.

You all deserve my very best professional, personal and spiritual effort to assist in this transforming journey called Agros. Thank you.

I’m very excited to announce that Shannon Gallagher has joined the Agros team as the new Agros Annual Campaign Manager. We are grateful to have such a talented, committed person join our team. She brings a clear passion to serve, and a remarkable professional background.

Shannon’s previous work experience includes working as the Yahoo! Global Marketing & Programming Manager, Yahoo! Front Page, managing a multi-country targeted IP marketing program to better engage (localized content) and monetize (premium upsell) 90M international daily users adding millions of dollars in new revenue.  She guided a team of designers, web developers, and media specialists to implement simultaneous international internal marketing, co-branded and cause-related campaigns.

Shannon left Yahoo! for Africa, working in Mozambique as a Microfunds Fellow for Kiva (www.kiva.org). Returning to the US, she then went to work as Director of Marketing and Content for Graspr, Inc., an online video community that offers high quality instructional content on a wide range of topics.

She has a Masters degree in Latin American Studies from Georgetown’s School of Foreign Service, has studied in Venezuela and Chile, worked on projects in Bolivia and Argentina, and is fluent in Spanish as well as proficient in Portuguese. She also completed a Research Assistant Internship at the United Nations, Secretary General’s Office.

Please join me in welcoming Shannon to the Agros family!

Agros has a new open position for an Annual Campaign Manager.  As follows:

Position Summary:

The Agros Annual Campaign Manager will plan, manage, and grow all aspects of Agros’ Annual Giving efforts. This individual will increase overall annual giving by leveraging channel marketing expertise, direct mail and online giving experience, expertise in donor segmentation, and implementing effective donor acquisition and retention strategies. The Annual Campaign Manager will directly oversee the management of all direct mail, online and monthly giving programs, and work closely in all aspects of resource development to create, market and manage multi-faceted fundraising campaigns. Additionally, the Annual Campaign Manager will also help in the design & production of associated online & collateral material to promote the various aspects of the Annual Campaign.

Key Result Areas:

• Campaign Management: Plan, market, and manage Agros Annual Campaign efforts, leading the effort to secure gifts, acquire new donors, and through segmented communication channels strengthen relationships with current donors.
• Donor Acquisition: Increase the overall number of donors within each giving channel by marketing an integrated array of online and direct mail giving opportunities.
• Donor Retention: Increase donor retention through segmented donor stewardship and communication best practices.
• Fiscal Management: Under supervision of Director of Marketing and Communications, able to maintain and fiscally monitor campaign budget.
• Collaboration: Ability to collaborate across departments in a team environment; ability to work with and lead vendors and volunteers as necessary.
• Demonstrated Knowledge: Understand principles related to resource development, fundraising strategies, channel marketing, and resource management (statistical analysis of campaigns).

Click here for more details.

We are happy to announce the hiring of two new Agros Resource Development (RD) staff — Kathie Delph and Stuart Scadron-Wattles.  Kathie is the new Director of RD, and Stuart will serve as Major Gifts Officer.  While we celebrate the accomplishments of this past year, with more than 8,500 people served in 37 villages across Central America and Mexico, there are still many rural poor families around the world waiting for an opportunity to break free from poverty. It is with those people in mind that Agros is building capacity to fulfill our vision of restoring hope and opportunity to the world’s poor.

Kathie Delph, Director of Resource Development.
Kathie Delph joined the Agros team in September of this year as the Director of Resource Development, bringing 16 years of international nonprofit experience to her position.

Born and raised in California, she and her husband Steve moved to the suburbs of Boston in the mid 80’s to help plant a church. In the years that followed, both became engaged in international nonprofit work. Kathie’s heart for the poor grew while serving with Compassion International, where she became exposed to the breadth and depth of poverty on millions of children in the majority world.

Before her hiring at Agros, Kathie served at Compassion International as the Director of Foundation & Corporate Development, later becoming the Director of Development. She has been a board member of the So Colorado Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), and she currently volunteers as a board member of the Development Associates International — an organization providing organizational leadership training to nonprofits in least accessible regions of the world.  She also serves on the board of the US office of Fondation le Grain de Ble, a Swiss based organization helping underprivileged children in Europe and around the world.

Kathie and Steve have two grown children; Brittany, a senior business major at the University of Colorado, and Taylor, a recent high school graduate who is preparing to travel to West Africa to volunteer with humanitarian organizations in Mali and Senegal.

Stuart Scadron-Wattles, Major Gifts Officer.
Stuart joined the Agros team in August 2007 as Major Gifts Officer for Resource Development. He has 26 years of experience in not-for-profit fundraising, beginning with capital gifts work at Cornell University, and moving through various performing arts organizations in the US and Canada. Stuart also has a theater degree, and has spent 16 years as a theater professional. Before joining Agros, Stuart was a principal in Smartworks Consulting, specializing in major gifts program design and capital giving strategies for the arts. Stuart grew up in Europe and in the US, spoke four languages as a child, and has long been interested in international issues, studying international relations at Johns Hopkins University. He has been on staff at Youth With A Mission and is a member of Seattle Mennonite Church. He describes his transition to Agros as “one of those unlikely corners one turns, only to recognize a place foreknown by the heart.”

Stuart and his wife Linda live in Seattle, where they have two married daughters and three grandchildren.

The full participation and involvement of the people we serve is fundamental to the mission of Agros. Paola, a 19-year-old woman from Cajixay, Guatemala, has worked as an Agros promoter since 2006. Her passion to improve the lives of the poor has helped many women in Guatemala. She is currently studying Social Work at the University of Santa Cruz.

“Agros began to work with Cajixay in 2002, and I have seen many changes since then, both in the lives of my family and in the whole community. My family has its own house for the first time!”

In November 2006, Agros offered Paola a job as a promoter of the textiles and weaving project. “I teach women how to improve their products and how to sell them more effectively. I work with all the Agros villages in the area, including Cajixay. It is a privilege to help the women in my own community. I am even teaching my mother!”

With the money that she earns, Paola pays for her studies at the university. “I work Monday through Friday for Agros, and I attend classes on Saturdays in Santa Cruz del Quiché. Saturdays are long days; I leave my house at 4 in the morning and return at about 10 at night, but it is worth the effort.”

Paola is studying social work, and her dream is to continue helping the people in her community and in all of Guatemala. “I love my work!” she says.

Paola’s deep conviction to help the poor are reflected in these words, “I want to urge all you who read this – fight to improve your lives. And if you don’t have your own struggles, fight to improve other people’s lives.”

We have a new opening at Agros for a Major Gift Officer:

GENERAL FUNCTION:  Initiate and cultivate relationships with potential major donors (individuals, businesses, and family foundations) who have the capability of making significant financial contributions to Agros International; maintain and build strong relationships with existing Agros International major donors; and professionally and effectively ask for financial gifts to fund the mission and program of Agros International.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Minimum of 3-5 years major donor fundraising experience
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Effective combination of being people-oriented, detail-oriented, and direct enough to ask for large gifts
• Capability to develop and maintain long-term funding relationships
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to meet deadlines
• Proficient computer skills (Microsoft Office and Blackbaud’s “Raiser’s Edge”)

PLEASE CLICK HERE for more information.

Agros International is pleased to welcome its new Director for Agros Honduras, Joel Martínez.

Joel Martínez Durón is a certified Agricultural Engineer with a Master’s Degree in ‘Generation of Development Projects’ and a background in Business Administration and Organizational Development. Joining Agros as the Executive Director of Agros Honduras, Joel’s twelve years of experience directing development projects in the field will greatly contribute to the families in Agros Honduras communities.

Prior to his role with Agros, Joel served as the Director of Program Development in Morzán Yoro for World Vision Honduras.  Joel led the strategic and operative planning process for the program, as well as comprehensive monitoring of the program’s impact.  He directed a team of field staff providing health, education, and economic development projects to the targeted population.

Joel was also responsible for administering the World Vision sponsorship program that generates 50% of the program’s funding. With his depth of experience and networking contacts relevant to the work of Agros, Joel will be a tremendous leader as the Honduras team continues to bring land, hope, and life to impoverished families in Honduras.

Welcome Joel!

On June 2nd, 2008, Nathan Hawkins joined Agros as the new Service Team Coordinator. Nathan is originally from Minneapolis and has lived in Mexico, East Tennessee, and most recently New Orleans, where he helped with rebuilding efforts after hurricane Katrina. He met his wife Joy in Tijuana, and together they moved to Seattle on November 2007. We’re truly excited to have Nathan join us.

Quoting the words of Frederick Buechner, Nathan describes his vocational calling as an intersection between “the place where deep gladness and the world and deep hunger meet.” Nathan adds, “I truly believe one such intersection for me is this opportunity to serve with Agros. I am so grateful to be joining you. I look forward to developing friendships and serving diligently alongside everyone at Agros and the many partners Agros counts as friends.”

Tara E. Leung will be leaving us on June 13th to pursue a masters program in International Development at Tufts University in Boston. She has worked and served with passion, excellence, and commitment.

Our very best wishes to Tara and a warm welcome to Nathan!

Mario Gaitán, executive director of Agros Nicaragua, reports on the actions taken in the aftermath of Hurricane Felix:

“Because of the devastating consequences of Hurricane Felix in Nicaragua, Agros created a special fund to meet the basic needs of the families impacted by the hurricane. Here is what is being done in each affected Agros Nicaragua village:

Norwich
We’ve been working hard to revitalize the production of sorghum that was affected by flooding. We’ve hired a doctor to provide health care to families in the village, giving special priority to children and women. We’ve also been able to acquire preventive medicines for the villagers to complete a community first aid post, which will be used to treat common illnesses such as flu, fever, and dengue.

Agros Nicaragua also purchased abate, a substance used to disinfect water by killing the parasites that later become mosquitoes that transmit dengue. The families are not only prepared to fight common illnesses during this season, but also are better prepared to prevent health problems in the future.

San José
In the Agros Village San José, we’ve purchased 20qq of bean seeds in order to replenish the food supplies for 28 families. The Nicaraguan team is also providing support with additional agricultural supplies and building materials for the construction of fertilizer latrines. A doctor was hired to provide post-hurricane health care for all 28 families.

El Edén
Agricultural supplies have been purchased to help replenish food supplies for all 27 families. Basic grains will be planted, with harvest targeted for the second crop of the year. 3.4 acres of Maracuya will also be replanted.

As a final note, I would personally like to thank all of the families in the US who have donated funds to support these families in Nicaragua. These resources are an abundant blessing in this difficult season.

The families in Agros Nicaragua villages are actually in good spirits, and are very hopeful in spite of the circumstances.

Greetings to all,
Mario Gaitán
Executive Director, Agros Nicaragua”

Brooke will join the Agros team in September 2007 as the Service and Education Manager. Before joining Agros, Brooke served as the Training and Resource Specialist at School’s Out Washington, a program of the YWCA of Seattle, King County & Snohomish County. In this position she provided technical assistance and training to afterschool programs in King County through the Washington Regional Afterschool Project (WRAP).

Prior to returning to Seattle in July 2006, Brooke and her husband James served for two years as Peace Corps volunteers in the Dominican Republic, where she worked in positive youth development and provided technical support and training to teachers. Brooke also served for two years in the Jesuit Volunteer Corps in both East Los Angeles and Seattle. She has a Bachelors Degree in Spanish from Seattle University and a Masters Degree in Social Work with a macro concentration in Program Planning & Development, Management, and Community Organization from Boston University.

In her free-time, Brooke enjoys supporting Seattle’s current Jesuit Volunteer community, running, cheering for the Red Sox, and heading east over the mountains to hike and spend time with her family in Wenatchee. Brooke is beyond excited to join the Agros team and eager to reconnect with Latin America and support Agros’ service teams!

I had promised in a previous blog post to introduce several members of the Agros staff serving in the field. This first introduction is of Kira López, the Agros Noemí Fund Coordinator. Kira is an extraordinary person, and we’re very fortunate to have her as part of the Agros team.

My name is Kira López. I am Nicaraguan and the mother of my six year old daughter Kyra Saraí. I am the oldest of 5 brothers and sisters, all of whom had to work very hard to get to where we all are today. I live in Managua, the capital of Nicaragua, a stunning country of lakes, volcanoes and other natural beauty located in Central America. With His grace, the Lord has allowed me to enter into a career of Business Administration and receive a Master’s in Business from the Central American Institute of Business Administration (INCAE). I asked Jesus Christ to come into my heart when I was seven years old and since that day I have been living following the example He has given us.

Two years ago I became a part of the Agros family, accompanying and facilitating the development process for thousands of people of Central America and Mexico, particularly in the coordination of the organization’s loan operations.

Twelve years ago I began participating in different development projects and for 8 years I was the Executive Director of an institution that specialized in microfinance, facilitating and promoting access to financial services for low-income individuals, especially those living in rural areas.

I enjoy what I do with Agros and I feel that it is a blessing to be able to serve others. If I share and put into practice what God has allowed me to learn through all these years, I can make a positive difference in the lives of the families partnering with Agros to realize their dreams.