The Global Advisory Council is a community of TechnoServe supporters from around the world that act as ambassadors for the organization.
Global Advisory Council
The Global Advisory Council is a community of members from around the world who deeply care about making a difference and want to share in, and support, the mission of TechnoServe. Members of the Global Advisory Council are ambassadors for TechnoServe, providing financial support, strategic advice and connections to others in order to advance the life-changing work of the organization.
Andrea StepanskiManager, Major Gifts
About the Program
The Global Advisory Council has been an integral part of TechnoServe since our founding in 1968 and will continue to be as we strive to increase our impact throughout the world. Even though many of our programs are funded by substantial grants from large organizations, TechnoServe relies on funding from private donors to provide vital support to innovate and deepen our impact in the developing world.
Members receive invitations to exciting events to learn more about TechnoServe’s work and connect with others equally as passionate about international development. Global Advisory Council activities are designed to provide an “insider’s perspective” into our work and include:
- Annual trips to visit TechnoServe’s programs in action and speak with beneficiaries
- Quarterly webinars highlighting TechnoServe’s successes and challenges
- Regional events to connect with other TechnoServe supporters
- Special communications to better understand the impact of poverty in countries where we work
- Recognition for your outstanding support
Supporting TechnoServe
To help TechnoServe bring economic development and hope to even more enterprising individuals across the developing world, Global Advisory Council members are asked to make a minimum annual gift of $2,500 USD and to connect TechnoServe to potential new GAC members and supporters.
Meet Our Global Advisory Council
Membership in the Global Advisory Council is an exciting opportunity to learn more about TechnoServe’s life changing work. Meet some of the GAC members behind our latest efforts to empower men and women to lift themselves out of poverty.
TechnoServe is able to maximize its impact in poor communities thanks to the generous support of our donors. Even though many of our programs are funded by substantial grants from large organizations, TechnoServe relies on funding from private donors to provide vital support to innovate and deepen our impact in developing world. Meet some of the people behind our latest efforts to empower men and women to lift themselves out of poverty.
"TechnoServe has consistently impressed me, both as a volunteer as well as a donor. The organization has a tremendous impact on people around the world, by providing individuals with the tools (rather than just a charitable payment) that they need to lift themselves out of poverty – and remain out of poverty for the long-term."
Justin Heyman, Global Advisory Council Member
Global Advisory Council Events
Council Conversation: Creating Lasting Impact for Women Across the World
March 16, 2021
As we honor International Women’s Day this month, members are invited to a small and exclusive meeting with TechnoServe’s Global Gender Director, Cristina Manfre. Cristina is looking forward to the opportunity to share a behind the scenes update on how TechnoServe works towards lifting women out of poverty in varying contexts through the world, measures our impact, and holds ourselves accountable.
Town Hall with TechnoServe’s President and CEO
December 8, 2020
As 2020 came to a close, William Warshauer spoke with members to share updates on TechnoServe’s work, current obstacles faced, and TechnoServe’s focus for the future.
Council Conversation: Understanding the Impact of COVID-19 on Smallholder Farmers
October 15, 2020
Members heard from Nupur Parikh, TechnoServe’s Director of Strategic Initiatives. Nupur shared an insider’s glimpse into a recent survey to understand the impact of COVID-19 on farmers participating in our programs, both in terms of their farming businesses and their overall household wellbeing. Members also heard firsthand how TechnoServe is using these important ground-level insights to help farmers overcome challenges most would call insurmountable.
Virtual Tour of Benin: Cashew Session
August 25, 2020
Members learned how TechnoServe is working to develop a thriving cashew sector in Benin by helping to increase the yields and revenues for over 40,000 cashew farmers and triple domestic processing. This session featured a live conversation with Cashew Processor, Jace Rabe of Tolaro Global.
Virtual Tour of Benin: Entrepreneurship Session
August 18, 2020
This session was an opportunity to hear directly from staff and clients of TechnoServe’s BeniBiz program, a business accelerator that provides food and agribusiness entrepreneurs with the skills needed to build prosperous businesses and food-secure communities.
Council Conversation: Helping Women Lift Themselves Out of Poverty
March 11, 2020
In honor of International Women’s Day, members joined a special online conversation with TechnoServe’s Global Gender Director, Cristina Manfre, to discuss how their support is helping to transform the lives of both women and men in the developing world.
