Hi everyone,
Just over a month ago, we let you know that we had the reached the final stages of our search for a new Chief of Community Engagement.[1] Today, I am thrilled to let you know that we have appointed Valerie D’Costa to the role. Born and raised a citizen of Singapore, Valerie speaks fluent Malay and Indonesian, in addition to English. She will join the Foundation starting January 22, 2019, working remotely from Washington, DC.
Valerie joins us after a decade at the World Bank Group, where she was charged with leading international initiatives to support communities of entrepreneurs in emerging markets around the world. Most recently, she led the Bank’s Women’s Economic Empowerment Program, where she helped female entrepreneurs and women-led businesses in developing countries grow and gain access to new market opportunities. Previously, she was the program director of infoDev, a Bank program that supported innovation hubs and technology incubators for entrepreneurs in developing countries. Prior to the World Bank, Valerie spent 15 years working with the government of Singapore on issues of international information and communications technology (ICT) policy and trade.
Valerie has worked her whole career in the intersection between technology and improving people's lives around the world. She brings a deep understanding of the importance of local ownership, collaboration and communication, and program sustainability. She emphasizes the importance of collaboration with local communities in designing programs and approaches, believing that local voices represent the best understanding of their own needs.
We were looking for someone with a global perspective, international experience, fluency in technology, and a deep empathy for community. We wanted a diplomat: Valerie has struck the fine balance between being an advocate for the people and communicating their needs to governments and partners. We hoped for an ambassador: Valerie brings with her years of experience in creating meaningful conversations with communities around the world on behalf of those who have been traditionally excluded from development planning. We found a dedicated leader who is keen to work in service to our community and who understands the uniquely global, multicultural nature of collaboration in our movement. Valerie knows that we can not attempt achieve our 2030 strategic direction unless we bring everyone along, and so she will be charged with building on our approach to community engagement, and ensuring that we meet our aspirations for our community growth, health, diversity, values, and program outcomes.
This means that Maggie Dennis, our current Chief of Community Engagement, will now transition to her role as Vice President of Support & Services, having set a (reluctant) personal best and Foundation record as the longest-serving CCE! I truly love working with Maggie and am so glad she is staying close by in such a critical position. After nearly three years (!) of collaboration and cooperation, I’d like to once again express my deep appreciation for Maggie’s understanding, friendship, support and dedication as she patiently curated this essential role in our movement.
I am truly excited as we embark on this new journey. We are deeply fortunate to now have two community leaders who are purpose-driven and inspirational on a number of levels. Please join me in congratulating both of these phenomenal women!
Katherine
[1] https://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikimedia-l/2018-October/091259.html
Hello, all.
On Tue, Dec 11, 2018 at 1:32 PM Katherine Maher kmaher@wikimedia.org wrote:
Hi everyone,
Just over a month ago, we let you know that we had the reached the final stages of our search for a new Chief of Community Engagement.[1] Today, I am thrilled to let you know that we have appointed Valerie D’Costa to the role.
<snip>
I just wanted to follow up myself on Katherine’s note to voice my enthusiastic and excited congratulations to Valerie on joining us and also to congratulate *us* on being joined by Valerie. Being part of the search panel looking for our next Chief of Community Engagement was an interesting and illuminating experience; so many people with so many new...and different...approaches. I was absolutely electrified when I completed my first interview with Valerie, whose considerate and experienced approach to community resonated with me immediately and deeply. I cannot wait for the opportunity to work with her in her new role. To those of you who haven’t yet: you’ll see what I mean when you meet her. :)
Best,
Maggie
Sounds like an amazing fit for the Wmf. Congrats to you all, and Maggie... Take a break now. Good job.
Philippe
On Tue, Dec 11, 2018, 10:36 AM Maggie Dennis <mdennis@wikimedia.org wrote:
Hello, all.
On Tue, Dec 11, 2018 at 1:32 PM Katherine Maher kmaher@wikimedia.org wrote:
Hi everyone,
Just over a month ago, we let you know that we had the reached the final stages of our search for a new Chief of Community Engagement.[1] Today, I am thrilled to let you know that we have appointed Valerie D’Costa to the role.
<snip>
I just wanted to follow up myself on Katherine’s note to voice my enthusiastic and excited congratulations to Valerie on joining us and also to congratulate *us* on being joined by Valerie. Being part of the search panel looking for our next Chief of Community Engagement was an interesting and illuminating experience; so many people with so many new...and different...approaches. I was absolutely electrified when I completed my first interview with Valerie, whose considerate and experienced approach to community resonated with me immediately and deeply. I cannot wait for the opportunity to work with her in her new role. To those of you who haven’t yet: you’ll see what I mean when you meet her. :)
Best,
Maggie
-- Maggie Dennis Chief of Community Engagement (for just a little while longer!) Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. _______________________________________________ Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia-l New messages to: Wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, mailto:wikimedia-l-request@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe
Welcome, Valerie! I'm thrilled you're joining us and looking forward to working with & learning from you!
Warm regards, Kate
--
Kate Zimmerman (she/they) Head of Product Analytics Wikimedia Foundation
On Tue, Dec 11, 2018 at 10:32 AM Katherine Maher kmaher@wikimedia.org wrote:
Hi everyone,
Just over a month ago, we let you know that we had the reached the final stages of our search for a new Chief of Community Engagement.[1] Today, I am thrilled to let you know that we have appointed Valerie D’Costa to the role. Born and raised a citizen of Singapore, Valerie speaks fluent Malay and Indonesian, in addition to English. She will join the Foundation starting January 22, 2019, working remotely from Washington, DC.
Valerie joins us after a decade at the World Bank Group, where she was charged with leading international initiatives to support communities of entrepreneurs in emerging markets around the world. Most recently, she led the Bank’s Women’s Economic Empowerment Program, where she helped female entrepreneurs and women-led businesses in developing countries grow and gain access to new market opportunities. Previously, she was the program director of infoDev, a Bank program that supported innovation hubs and technology incubators for entrepreneurs in developing countries. Prior to the World Bank, Valerie spent 15 years working with the government of Singapore on issues of international information and communications technology (ICT) policy and trade.
Valerie has worked her whole career in the intersection between technology and improving people's lives around the world. She brings a deep understanding of the importance of local ownership, collaboration and communication, and program sustainability. She emphasizes the importance of collaboration with local communities in designing programs and approaches, believing that local voices represent the best understanding of their own needs.
We were looking for someone with a global perspective, international experience, fluency in technology, and a deep empathy for community. We wanted a diplomat: Valerie has struck the fine balance between being an advocate for the people and communicating their needs to governments and partners. We hoped for an ambassador: Valerie brings with her years of experience in creating meaningful conversations with communities around the world on behalf of those who have been traditionally excluded from development planning. We found a dedicated leader who is keen to work in service to our community and who understands the uniquely global, multicultural nature of collaboration in our movement. Valerie knows that we can not attempt achieve our 2030 strategic direction unless we bring everyone along, and so she will be charged with building on our approach to community engagement, and ensuring that we meet our aspirations for our community growth, health, diversity, values, and program outcomes.
This means that Maggie Dennis, our current Chief of Community Engagement, will now transition to her role as Vice President of Support & Services, having set a (reluctant) personal best and Foundation record as the longest-serving CCE! I truly love working with Maggie and am so glad she is staying close by in such a critical position. After nearly three years (!) of collaboration and cooperation, I’d like to once again express my deep appreciation for Maggie’s understanding, friendship, support and dedication as she patiently curated this essential role in our movement.
I am truly excited as we embark on this new journey. We are deeply fortunate to now have two community leaders who are purpose-driven and inspirational on a number of levels. Please join me in congratulating both of these phenomenal women!
Katherine
[1] https://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikimedia-l/2018-October/091259.html -- Katherine Maher
Executive Director Wikimedia Foundation 1 Montgomery Street, Suite 1600 San Francisco, CA 94104
+1 (415) 839-6885 ext. 6635 +1 (415) 712 4873 kmaher@wikimedia.org https://annual.wikimedia.org _______________________________________________ Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia-l New messages to: Wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, mailto:wikimedia-l-request@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe
Congratulations to Valerie and of course many thanks to Maggie for all the good work.
Regards,
Isaac
On Dec 11, 2018 8:32 PM, "Philippe Beaudette" philippe@beaudette.me wrote:
Sounds like an amazing fit for the Wmf. Congrats to you all, and Maggie... Take a break now. Good job.
Philippe
On Tue, Dec 11, 2018, 10:36 AM Maggie Dennis <mdennis@wikimedia.org wrote:
Hello, all.
On Tue, Dec 11, 2018 at 1:32 PM Katherine Maher kmaher@wikimedia.org wrote:
Hi everyone,
Just over a month ago, we let you know that we had the reached the
final
stages of our search for a new Chief of Community Engagement.[1]
Today, I
am thrilled to let you know that we have appointed Valerie D’Costa to
the
role.
<snip>
I just wanted to follow up myself on Katherine’s note to voice my enthusiastic and excited congratulations to Valerie on joining us and
also
to congratulate *us* on being joined by Valerie. Being part of the search panel looking for our next Chief of Community Engagement was an
interesting
and illuminating experience; so many people with so many new...and different...approaches. I was absolutely electrified when I completed my first interview with Valerie, whose considerate and experienced approach
to
community resonated with me immediately and deeply. I cannot wait for the opportunity to work with her in her new role. To those of you who haven’t yet: you’ll see what I mean when you meet her. :)
Best,
Maggie
-- Maggie Dennis Chief of Community Engagement (for just a little while longer!) Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. _______________________________________________ Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia-l New messages to: Wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, mailto:wikimedia-l-request@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe
Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/ wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and https://meta.wikimedia.org/ wiki/Wikimedia-l New messages to: Wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, mailto:wikimedia-l-request@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe
Congratulations both and welcome Valerie. Wish you a wonderful work with the Wikimedians community.
Camelia, on behalf of WikiDonne UG and AffCom
On Tue, Dec 11, 2018, 8:32 PM Philippe Beaudette <philippe@beaudette.me wrote:
Sounds like an amazing fit for the Wmf. Congrats to you all, and Maggie... Take a break now. Good job.
Philippe
On Tue, Dec 11, 2018, 10:36 AM Maggie Dennis <mdennis@wikimedia.org wrote:
Hello, all.
On Tue, Dec 11, 2018 at 1:32 PM Katherine Maher kmaher@wikimedia.org wrote:
Hi everyone,
Just over a month ago, we let you know that we had the reached the
final
stages of our search for a new Chief of Community Engagement.[1]
Today, I
am thrilled to let you know that we have appointed Valerie D’Costa to
the
role.
<snip>
I just wanted to follow up myself on Katherine’s note to voice my enthusiastic and excited congratulations to Valerie on joining us and
also
to congratulate *us* on being joined by Valerie. Being part of the search panel looking for our next Chief of Community Engagement was an
interesting
and illuminating experience; so many people with so many new...and different...approaches. I was absolutely electrified when I completed my first interview with Valerie, whose considerate and experienced approach
to
community resonated with me immediately and deeply. I cannot wait for the opportunity to work with her in her new role. To those of you who haven’t yet: you’ll see what I mean when you meet her. :)
Best,
Maggie
-- Maggie Dennis Chief of Community Engagement (for just a little while longer!) Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. _______________________________________________ Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia-l New messages to: Wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, mailto:wikimedia-l-request@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe
Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia-l New messages to: Wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, mailto:wikimedia-l-request@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe
Nice work, Maggie. That was a heck of a fill-in.
Welcome, Valerie! :-D
On Tue, Dec 11, 2018 at 1:19 PM camelia boban camelia.boban@gmail.com wrote:
Congratulations both and welcome Valerie. Wish you a wonderful work with the Wikimedians community.
Camelia, on behalf of WikiDonne UG and AffCom
On Tue, Dec 11, 2018, 8:32 PM Philippe Beaudette <philippe@beaudette.me wrote:
Sounds like an amazing fit for the Wmf. Congrats to you all, and
Maggie...
Take a break now. Good job.
Philippe
On Tue, Dec 11, 2018, 10:36 AM Maggie Dennis <mdennis@wikimedia.org
wrote:
Hello, all.
On Tue, Dec 11, 2018 at 1:32 PM Katherine Maher kmaher@wikimedia.org wrote:
Hi everyone,
Just over a month ago, we let you know that we had the reached the
final
stages of our search for a new Chief of Community Engagement.[1]
Today, I
am thrilled to let you know that we have appointed Valerie D’Costa to
the
role.
<snip>
I just wanted to follow up myself on Katherine’s note to voice my enthusiastic and excited congratulations to Valerie on joining us and
also
to congratulate *us* on being joined by Valerie. Being part of the
search
panel looking for our next Chief of Community Engagement was an
interesting
and illuminating experience; so many people with so many new...and different...approaches. I was absolutely electrified when I completed
my
first interview with Valerie, whose considerate and experienced
approach
to
community resonated with me immediately and deeply. I cannot wait for
the
opportunity to work with her in her new role. To those of you who
haven’t
yet: you’ll see what I mean when you meet her. :)
Best,
Maggie
-- Maggie Dennis Chief of Community Engagement (for just a little while longer!) Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. _______________________________________________ Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia-l New messages to: Wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, mailto:wikimedia-l-request@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe
Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia-l New messages to: Wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, mailto:wikimedia-l-request@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe
Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia-l New messages to: Wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, mailto:wikimedia-l-request@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe
Superb. Thank you Katherine, Maggie + all; and a warm welcome, Valerie! :)
MS: and ID: remain excellent areas for language outreach; we're privileged to have a strong community network there.
SJ
On Tue, Dec 11, 2018 at 4:19 PM camelia boban camelia.boban@gmail.com wrote:
Congratulations both and welcome Valerie. Wish you a wonderful work with the Wikimedians community.
Camelia, on behalf of WikiDonne UG and AffCom
On Tue, Dec 11, 2018, 8:32 PM Philippe Beaudette <philippe@beaudette.me wrote:
Sounds like an amazing fit for the Wmf. Congrats to you all, and
Maggie...
Take a break now. Good job.
Philippe
On Tue, Dec 11, 2018, 10:36 AM Maggie Dennis <mdennis@wikimedia.org
wrote:
Hello, all.
On Tue, Dec 11, 2018 at 1:32 PM Katherine Maher kmaher@wikimedia.org wrote:
Hi everyone,
Just over a month ago, we let you know that we had the reached the
final
stages of our search for a new Chief of Community Engagement.[1]
Today, I
am thrilled to let you know that we have appointed Valerie D’Costa to
the
role.
<snip>
I just wanted to follow up myself on Katherine’s note to voice my enthusiastic and excited congratulations to Valerie on joining us and
also
to congratulate *us* on being joined by Valerie. Being part of the
search
panel looking for our next Chief of Community Engagement was an
interesting
and illuminating experience; so many people with so many new...and different...approaches. I was absolutely electrified when I completed
my
first interview with Valerie, whose considerate and experienced
approach
to
community resonated with me immediately and deeply. I cannot wait for
the
opportunity to work with her in her new role. To those of you who
haven’t
yet: you’ll see what I mean when you meet her. :)
Best,
Maggie
-- Maggie Dennis Chief of Community Engagement (for just a little while longer!) Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. _______________________________________________ Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia-l New messages to: Wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, mailto:wikimedia-l-request@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe
Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia-l New messages to: Wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, mailto:wikimedia-l-request@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe
Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia-l New messages to: Wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, mailto:wikimedia-l-request@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe
Dear Maggie,
Your talent, commitment, creativity, unflagging energy and love of all things Wikimedia, combined with your incredible sense of justice (and sense of humor!) made you one of my north starts while working at WMF. I have seldom had the chance to work with someone I so like and admire.
Get some rest now!
xx, Eileen
Eileen B. Hershenov Of Counsel Wikimedia Foundation 1 Montgomery Street, Suite 1600 https://maps.google.com/?q=1+Montgomery+Street,+Suite+1600+%0D+San+Francisco,+CA+94104&entry=gmail&source=g San Francisco, CA 94104 https://maps.google.com/?q=1+Montgomery+Street,+Suite+1600+%0D+San+Francisco,+CA+94104&entry=gmail&source=g Registered In-House Counsel, State Bar of CA Licensed in NY State ehershenov@wikimedia.org (US) 415-483-6676
*NOTICE: This message may be confidential or legally privileged. If you have received it by accident, please delete it and let us know about the mistake. As an attorney for the Wikimedia Foundation and for legal/ethical reasons, I cannot give legal advice to, or serve as a lawyer for, community members, volunteers, or staff members in their personal capacity. For more on what this means, please see our legal disclaimer https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Legal_Disclaimer.*
On Tue, Dec 11, 2018 at 5:53 PM Samuel Klein meta.sj@gmail.com wrote:
Superb. Thank you Katherine, Maggie + all; and a warm welcome, Valerie! :)
MS: and ID: remain excellent areas for language outreach; we're privileged to have a strong community network there.
SJ
On Tue, Dec 11, 2018 at 4:19 PM camelia boban camelia.boban@gmail.com wrote:
Congratulations both and welcome Valerie. Wish you a wonderful work with the Wikimedians community.
Camelia, on behalf of WikiDonne UG and AffCom
On Tue, Dec 11, 2018, 8:32 PM Philippe Beaudette <philippe@beaudette.me wrote:
Sounds like an amazing fit for the Wmf. Congrats to you all, and
Maggie...
Take a break now. Good job.
Philippe
On Tue, Dec 11, 2018, 10:36 AM Maggie Dennis <mdennis@wikimedia.org
wrote:
Hello, all.
On Tue, Dec 11, 2018 at 1:32 PM Katherine Maher <
kmaher@wikimedia.org>
wrote:
Hi everyone,
Just over a month ago, we let you know that we had the reached the
final
stages of our search for a new Chief of Community Engagement.[1]
Today, I
am thrilled to let you know that we have appointed Valerie D’Costa
to
the
role.
<snip>
I just wanted to follow up myself on Katherine’s note to voice my enthusiastic and excited congratulations to Valerie on joining us and
also
to congratulate *us* on being joined by Valerie. Being part of the
search
panel looking for our next Chief of Community Engagement was an
interesting
and illuminating experience; so many people with so many new...and different...approaches. I was absolutely electrified when I completed
my
first interview with Valerie, whose considerate and experienced
approach
to
community resonated with me immediately and deeply. I cannot wait for
the
opportunity to work with her in her new role. To those of you who
haven’t
yet: you’ll see what I mean when you meet her. :)
Best,
Maggie
-- Maggie Dennis Chief of Community Engagement (for just a little while longer!) Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. _______________________________________________ Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia-l New messages to: Wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org Unsubscribe:
https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l,
mailto:wikimedia-l-request@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe
Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia-l New messages to: Wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, mailto:wikimedia-l-request@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe
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-- Samuel Klein @metasj w:user:sj +1 617 529 4266 _______________________________________________ Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines and https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia-l New messages to: Wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, mailto:wikimedia-l-request@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe
wikimedia-l@lists.wikimedia.org