Karen Hirschfeld is an international development professional with more than 20 years of experience working in conflict and post-conflict countries in Africa, Asia and the Americas. She has worked predominantly in democracy and governance and elections, and also has experience in human rights, humanitarian assistance and CSO capacity-building. She served as the Deputy Director of The Asia Foundation’s Elections Program in Afghanistan in 2003 and was the head of office for the International Organization for Migration’s out-of-country elections in Nashville, TN, which allowed Iraqi expatriates to participate in Iraq’s first parliamentary elections in post-Saddam Hussein Iraq. She worked at the US Agency for International Development for seven years, where she spent significant time managing and evaluating democracy and governance, media, civil society strengthening programs in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Haiti, Myanmar and Cameroon. She is founder and principal of Hirschfeld Consulting Services, where she manages USAID projects, evaluates programs in the field, teaches and counsels on Monitoring and Evaluation and assists non-profits with their business development, strategic planning and fundraising strategies. She earned a BA in International Relations from Brown University and a Masters in Economic Development from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs. She is a trained facilitator, mediator and coach.
- Years of professional experience: 22+
- Languages of fluency:English (native), French
- Countries/regions worked in/for: Afghanistan, Pakistan, Haiti, Myanmar, Cameroon, the Sahel
- Education: Education: BA in International Relations (Brown University), MA in Economic and Political Development (Columbia University)