Experience
Professional Experience
Fiona has been directing and implementing international affairs programming since 1997, holding senior leadership positions in globally-recognized organizations in Washington, New York, and Paris. Since 2008, she has worked as a senior advisor and technical expert in the Middle East and Central Asia specialized in government outreach and civil society engagement in the Security, Justice, Subnational Governance, Education, and Economic sectors. Fiona has worked with national and subnational level government officials, civil society activists, and journalists from Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, Qatar, Iraq, UAE, Azerbaijan, and Afghanistan in addition to the United States.
Prior to her field work, Fiona was Senior Program Manager, Levant at the National Democratic Institute (NDI) headquarters in Washington, DC. She served as Director of Communications for international affairs organizations in New York and Washington, DC, and as an advisor in the Cabinet at UNESCO headquarters in Paris.
Fiona remains active writer and editor publishing in outlets like the Daily Beast and Ms. Magazine. She was a newspaper reporter before earning her masters degree from New York University in Middle East Studies and Journalism.
Senior Advisor, International Development
Consultant for USAID, United Nations, International development non-profit and private organizations
Strategic Communications. Political Analysis, Governance, Civil Society Strengthening, Public Engagement, NGO Capacity Development, and Media outreach and training, working with local, national and international partners and governments in Middle East and Central Asia. Worked in country: Iraq, UAE, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan, Thailand, France.
Senior Program Manager, Middle East and North Africa
National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) Washington, DC
Senior staff member of 30-year old nonprofit, nonpartisan, nongovernmental organization supporting democratic institutions and practices in every region of the world. Founded, chaired by Madeleine Albright. Oversaw Levant programming.
Consultant to Director General and Cabinet
United Nations Educational Scientific & Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Paris, France
Advisor for U.S. Congressional and international media outreach in headquarters of United Nations specialized agency comprising 195 Member States and 2,000 staff working to promote international collaboration through educational, scientific, and cultural reforms.
Director, External Affairs
United Nations Association of the USA (UNA-USA) New York, NY
Senior staff member of largest grassroots foreign policy organization in the U.S. and policy research center on the United Nations and multilateral issues with 120 Chapters & Divisions, corporate & NGO memberships, and academic affiliations.
Office of Public Affairs, Press Officer
Sports Information Director
New York University, New York, NY
Sports Information Director, then Public Affairs Press Officer for the largest private university in the United States.