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