Introducing Humans of Development: Profiles of You

We want to showcase your contribution to a better world for us all

You may remember the Humans of New York photoblog that became a global sensation. We are launching a similar effort to humanize humanitarian professionals.

We want to spotlight your contribution to global development and your value to new employers. We will increase your visibility as you pivot forward with a viral post on LinkedIn and Substack.

Paid subscribers—please volunteer to be featured in a flattering post that:

• Tells your story in a compelling Q&A format

• Showcases the impact of your work in global development

• Raises your visibility to potential employers, collaborators, and networks

We are seeking development professionals across the humanitarian ecosystem. Those that served in the field or in D.C., as a direct hire, contractor, consultant, or NGO staff—your voice matters!

Email me now to express your interest.

An Example Post

Each profile will feature different questions based on your life experiences.

We want to show the depth and breadth of the development ecosystem. Here is an example of how a Humans of Development post will look and read—yours will be unique to you!

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What inspired you to work in international development?

I was laid off from a dot com tech startup in 2002, soon after 9/11. I wanted to visit the African continent. At that point, I’d traveled across South America, Europe, and Asia.

I went to visit my friend Sabina Behague in Kenya. She told me about international development—that I could help people around the world with my technology skills. A few hundred informational interviews later, I was running Geekcorps.

What impact did your work create?

I designed systems to better connect governments with pregnant mothers, using tools like WhatsApp, to encourage them to seek medical care at established health clinics. I also deployed systems like iHRIS to help clinics provide services to patients, and new AI solutions to help national governments track all these interactions and predict trends.

For example, I was once at a health administrator's office, and I asked him how he used iHRIS. He pulled out a report—that was on his desk, not lost in a filing cabinet somewhere—that showed clinician absenteeism across his catchment area. He was very proud to show how staff were at their post, delivering medical services and improving lives every day.

What’s one misconception your family has about your work?

Many of my extended family members questioned why I spent so much time trying to help people over there. They asked me why I didn’t help them, or people they knew. I have a humanitarian ethos thanks to my hippie parents, and my 20 years in international development was driven by two key influences in my life.

When I was growing up, HIV became a real killer. I remember seeing the AIDS Memorial Quilt on the National Mall. I was stunned and deeply moved. I knew I wanted to help, but I didn’t know how. Then I saw the remnants of the third plane’s impact on the Pentagon as I drove home on 9/11. I smelled the fire, then still smoldering.

I realized that disease and hate know no borders. I realized I could use my technology skills to make the world a better place. One outcome would be a better place for my family.

What was a major challenge you’ve faced, and how did you handle it?

Years ago, I was designing an education proposal for a West African country. One small component would be a test of eBooks to improve reading comprehension. USAID loved the idea! Deploying eReaders in schools became a core aspect of our program.

When I suggested it to our Chief of Party in another country, she rejected the idea completely.

She wanted equity. We had to supply eReaders to every child in her program—or none. Since we could only pilot it there, she rejected my efforts. I understood her reluctance, yet I still hoped she'd see the potential impact. I patiently kept sending her our progress reports.

Then she got an eReader for her own child and realized how it helped children be excited to read. Fast forward a year, and she was such a convert—she left our organization to join the eReader company.

What gives you hope for the future?

I am unemployed right now, and while it hurts deeply, I still have hope. I am exploring what I will do next. I think I'll be helping US small businesses use technology tools to engage better with their customers and develop more profitable services.

My main challenge is to find meaning in this work stream. How can I express my humanitarian ethos in everything I do?