Fatou Batta serves as Groundswell International’s Board Liaison for West Africa. Fatou is one of Groundswell’s co-founders and also the founder of Association Nourrir Sans Détruire (ANSD), Groundswell’s local partner in Burkina Faso. Until 2009, Fatou worked for over 15 years as the World Neighbors’ Area Representative for West Africa, overseeing all aspects of strategy, programs and management for the region. Prior to joining World Neighbors, she held several positions with the government of her native Burkina Faso, where she helped to develop family planning policy and planned and … [Read more...] about Fatou Batta
Board
Tim LaSalle
Tim LaSalle champions his science-based hope for a regenerative food system that will mitigate climate change by sequestering 100% of the current emissions and provide the most robust ecologically regenerative method to feeding a growing world population. Tim is currently the Co-founder and Co-director of the Regenerative Agriculture Initiative at Chico State University. LaSalle previously served as the first CEO of Rodale Institute, Executive Director of the Northwest Earth Institute, Executive Director of the Allan Savory Center for Holistic Management, and he was consultant, advisor, and … [Read more...] about Tim LaSalle
Karen Keating Ansara
Karen Ansara is currently a 2023 Fellow in the Harvard Advanced Leadership Initiative. Karen and her husband Jim make grants (especially in Haiti) to address global health systems and the deep poverty that leads families to surrender their children. To inspire more international philanthropy, in 2008 Karen launched what is now the Network of Engaged International Donors (NEID Global), a learning and grantmaking community of 180+ philanthropists, foundations and impact investors. After the 2010 earthquake, Karen cofounded the Haiti Fund at the Boston Foundation, now the Haiti Development … [Read more...] about Karen Keating Ansara
Patricia Biermayr-Jenzano
Patricia Biermayr-Jenzano is a social scientist, specializing in the evaluation of gender studies, food security and food systems analysis. She has a Doctorate in Agriculture and Social Anthropology (PhD), and a Master of Science (MS) in Agricultural Extension both from Cornell University in New York, and an Agricultural Engineering degree from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Her work has deep roots in participatory research, as well as incorporating a gender perspective into agriculture and environmental conservation efforts. She has served as the Gender Coordinator for the International Finance … [Read more...] about Patricia Biermayr-Jenzano
Edwin Naylor
In Memoriam: Edwin Naylor, (Honorary Member), was Groundswell’s first Board Chair in 2009, and was instrumental in shaping our founding bylaws and governance structure based on principles of international partnership. He passed away in 2018 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. Ed brought over 50 years of organizational management experience and passion for social justice and community development to Groundswell. His experience includes over 16 years serving as President/CEO of Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area, Washington, DC (1987-1995) and Executive Director/CEO … [Read more...] about Edwin Naylor
Gopal Kumar Nakarmi
Gopal Kumar Nakarmi serves as Groundswell's Board Liaison for South Asia. Gopal has over 40 years’ experience working in Nepal and India to improve the wellbeing, food security, and livelihoods of marginalized populations, especially women and socially excluded people living in the remote areas. He holds a master degree in Public and Business Administration from Tribhuwan University, Kathmandu, the oldest university in Nepal, and a Certificate in Development Studies for Aid Administration from Selly Oak Colleges in Birmingham, England. … [Read more...] about Gopal Kumar Nakarmi