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    Gretchen Villegas:  Driving Global Development and Social Impact

    Executive Biography

    Published on:

    By Lisa

    Gretchen Villegas is a seasoned global development and social impact executive with 25+ years of experience dedicated to catalyzing positive change and breaking cycles of poverty worldwide. Beginning her journey as a Peace Corps volunteer, she witnessed firsthand the profound challenges faced by underserved populations, igniting her passion for transformative action.

    In her current role as Founding Member of the Impact Table, Gretchen actively participates in leadership optimization sessions for women leaders from both the for-profit and non-profit sectors focused on social impact goals. She leverages her extensive experience to support both peers and up-and-coming generations across industries, roles, and functions.  Gretchen shares her depth of experience working with globally-focused non-profits leveraging corporations, foundations, and institutional revenue sources and strategic partnerships. 

    Previously, as President and CEO of Horizon Empowers in Lancaster, PA, Gretchen led the development and execution of strategic plans in collaboration with staff and board members. Through strategic realignment and a revamped organizational model, she propelled impact growth by 50% within a mere 12 months. Additionally, Gretchen successfully rebranded the organization and implemented a revenue growth strategy to ensure sustained success.

    During her tenure as Senior Vice President of Business Development and Program Design at Heifer International, Gretchen achieved remarkable revenue growth including a 35M USD award from the US Government in collaboration with Cargill Animal Nutrition, using the newly established proposal design hub.   She also spearheaded the integration of programs, monitoring, and new business development to enhance transparency and data analytics for donors. Gretchen ultimately played a pivotal role in driving organizational strategy and fostering partnership development to maximize impact for continued revenue growth. 

    With a diverse skill set encompassing partnership development, strategy, business growth strategies, financial analysis, and program design, Gretchen Villegas is a catalyst for positive change in the social impact and global development landscape. Her commitment to impact-driven initiatives, coupled with her proficiency in change management and multilingual capabilities, underscores her ability to drive meaningful transformation and empower vulnerable communities worldwide.  She can guide a multi-cultural team like no one else.

    • Character: Gretchen Villegas embodies integrity, empathy, and a relentless dedication to driving positive change and empowering vulnerable communities worldwide.
    • Knowledge: With a Master’s degree in Intercultural Management and a Bachelor’s in International Studies, Gretchen brings a deep understanding of global development principles and best practices to her work.
    • Strategic: Gretchen demonstrates strategic acumen by leading the development and execution of transformative plans, driving impact growth, and realigning organizational structures to maximize effectiveness.
    • Communication: Through effective communication strategies, Gretchen engages stakeholders, fosters partnerships, and amplifies the voices of underserved populations to drive meaningful change on a global scale.

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    Lisa
    Lisahttps://boardsi.com
    Lisa Williams is a versatile professional with a strong track record in marketing, business ownership, and interior design. Currently, as the Marketing Director at Boardsi since February 2021, she has been a driving force behind the company's branding and strategy. Her creative vision and strategic insight have been instrumental in Boardsi's growth and success. With a history of entrepreneurial ventures, Lisa owned Tootsies Shoes, a boutique from February 2017 to September 2019, where she managed sales, accounts, buying, and merchandising. Earlier, at Pottery Barn, she excelled as a Sales and Interior Design Specialist from February 2008 to May 2016, bringing her talent for creating appealing living spaces and exceptional customer service. Lisa's educational foundation was laid at California State University, Chico, where she earned her bachelor's degree in Interior Design in 2004, coupled with active involvement in the Alpha Delta Pi Sorority.

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