Staff

Peter Gubbels is Groundswell’s Director of Action Learning and Advocacy for West Africa and is one of Groundswell’s co-founders. He has 38 years of experience in rural development, including over 28 years living and working in West Africa. Peter is the co-author of From the Roots Up: Strengthening Organizational Capacity through Guided Self-Assessment. He has also written numerous articles, research reports, evaluations, case studies and policy briefs on agroecology. Peter was recently appointed senior fellow with the Global Evergreening Alliance, and he holds an MA in Rural Development from the University of East Anglia in Great Britain, an Honor’s degree in History from the University of Western Ontario, and a college diploma in Agricultural Production and Management.

Gopal Kumar Nakarmi serves as Groundswell’s Regional Coordinator 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.

Charles Arhin serves as Regional Finance Coordinator for West Africa and Latin America. Charles has 19 years of experience as Accounting and Finance Professional for both For Profits and Non-Profits. Before joining Groundswell, He spent 9 years serving as Finance Manager for several In-country and Regional level development projects in West Africa, among them include, USAID/IREX Mandela Washington   Fellowship project implemented in 22 countries in West and Central Africa, USAID/FHI Learn Project in Ghana, USAID/PATH Malaria Care Project in Ghana, USAID/World Learning contraceptive Project in Ghana. Charles is a Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA).

Jamie Smith serves as Communications Coordinator. She has over a decade of experience leading digital and print communications for non-profits, mid-sized corporations, and small businesses. Jamie runs a digital strategy consulting firm, partners with larger agencies as strategy support, participates as a board member on a library foundation board, and serves as vice-chair on the board of a charter school. Her academic career includes a Master’s in Management and Leadership from Montreat College, and a BA in Mass Communication from UNC Asheville.