Elshaddai Haile

Senior Manager, International Affairs

I’ve always believed that understanding the world is the first step to changing it. I’m a first-generation immigrant born and raised in upstate New York, the daughter of Ethiopian parents, and someone who has always been drawn to global affairs. After earning my degrees from the State University of New York at Buffalo, I spent 12 years at the US Agency for International Development (USAID) across multiple bureaus and US embassies working on strategies, small grant development/implementation, strategic partnerships, budget development and operations both in DC and the field. My career and personal passions have taken me to more than 30 countries, shaping how I navigate complex political environments, build trust across cultures, and translate fast moving world events into practical action. I’m currently exploring MBA programs to deepen my strategic and leadership skills as I continue working at the intersection of global strategy, partnerships, and impact.