Isla Staff Art by Kosovar artist Agron Mulliqi
Kathy Lynch Founder and Executive Director
Kathy works at the intersection of education, international development, and social-entrepreneurship, blending her skills and experience to generate sustainable long-term development outcomes. Kathy's international education experience includes study in Ireland, Germany, and the UK, all of which have informed her work in education abroad management positions at the University of Kentucky and Colorado State University. Her experience with sustainable international development began when she served in the Peace Corps in Mali. For two years, she lived in the village of N’Kourala in southern Mali and worked in the agriculture sector, integrating her support of food production with interventions with water, forestry, and health sector programs to advance community development through Peace Corps’ African Food Systems Initiative (AFSI). Through a World Bank ruralization program, Kathy introduced agricultural and appropriate technology techniques to elementary and high school students which led to a continuing education program that included women and farmers in innovative farming and health programs being offered at the school.
Kathy went on to work on the Cochran Fellowship Program’s Poland and Hungary desk at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C. She coordinated in-country training programs and U.S. study-tours targeted to private agribusiness professionals, bankers, farmers, cooperatives, and other clients focused on the business skills necessary to work effectively in the new market economy. Next, she served for four years as Country Director of ACDI/VOCA’s Agribusiness Exchange Program, resident in Warsaw, Poland. As her family began to expand, Kathy shifted gears and earned her certification as a Montessori teacher. She went on to serve in a variety of positions, including teacher, mentor, board member, and eventually Director - with schools in Bulgaria, Kosovo, and the United States.
In 2007, Kathy founded Isla, marrying her interests in education and international development. Over a two-year period, she steered Isla towards a merger with the Foundation for Community Development and Empowerment (FCDE), expanding both the learning and development outcomes. She is delighted to return to return to Isla to provide leadership and growth at an important stage of the organization’s evolution. Kathy holds Bachelors and Masters degrees from Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland and an international teaching diploma from Montessori Center International in London, U.K. Kathy may be reached at kathy@isla-serve.org.
Kathy went on to work on the Cochran Fellowship Program’s Poland and Hungary desk at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C. She coordinated in-country training programs and U.S. study-tours targeted to private agribusiness professionals, bankers, farmers, cooperatives, and other clients focused on the business skills necessary to work effectively in the new market economy. Next, she served for four years as Country Director of ACDI/VOCA’s Agribusiness Exchange Program, resident in Warsaw, Poland. As her family began to expand, Kathy shifted gears and earned her certification as a Montessori teacher. She went on to serve in a variety of positions, including teacher, mentor, board member, and eventually Director - with schools in Bulgaria, Kosovo, and the United States.
In 2007, Kathy founded Isla, marrying her interests in education and international development. Over a two-year period, she steered Isla towards a merger with the Foundation for Community Development and Empowerment (FCDE), expanding both the learning and development outcomes. She is delighted to return to return to Isla to provide leadership and growth at an important stage of the organization’s evolution. Kathy holds Bachelors and Masters degrees from Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland and an international teaching diploma from Montessori Center International in London, U.K. Kathy may be reached at kathy@isla-serve.org.
Peter Andersen Marketing and Outreach Director
Mrika Mulliqi Isla Recruiter
Mrika was born and raised in Kosovo. In addition to her work at FCED, Mrika is studying applied economics and business managment at the University of Prishtina, Kosovo. Mrika is eager to engage in activities that aim to empower small businesses, startups, and innovational ideas generated by young people.
Mrika began her activism at young age as a volunteer and developed a passion for work in youth development. One of her most rewarding volunteer experiences was her fundraising work for SOS Children’s Village in Kosovo. In addition, Mrika's work as a Sales Representative with Britannica ELT, one of the most notable languages schools in Kosovo, gave her the opportunity to have an impact on young Kosovar's understand of multiculturalism, diversity, and inclusiveness. Mrika joined FCDE to share her professional experience and develop professionally towards the organization's mission of empowering communities to maximize economic, social, and environmental opportunities in order to reduce poverty and injustice. Outside work she enjoys painting, reading books, and hiking. She speaks Albanian, English and elementary level Italian. Mrika may be reached at info@isla-serve.org.
Mrika began her activism at young age as a volunteer and developed a passion for work in youth development. One of her most rewarding volunteer experiences was her fundraising work for SOS Children’s Village in Kosovo. In addition, Mrika's work as a Sales Representative with Britannica ELT, one of the most notable languages schools in Kosovo, gave her the opportunity to have an impact on young Kosovar's understand of multiculturalism, diversity, and inclusiveness. Mrika joined FCDE to share her professional experience and develop professionally towards the organization's mission of empowering communities to maximize economic, social, and environmental opportunities in order to reduce poverty and injustice. Outside work she enjoys painting, reading books, and hiking. She speaks Albanian, English and elementary level Italian. Mrika may be reached at info@isla-serve.org.
Savannah Woodward Isla Recruiter
Savannah holds a Bachelor’s degree in Community Health from Western Washington University in Washington, U.S.A, where much of her research and program development focused on women’s reproductive health and sexual health education. Throughout her time at university, Savannah was active as a Peer Health Educator for Prevention and Wellness Services, which involved planning, facilitating, and evaluating programs emphasizing self-care, suicide prevention, and mental illness stigma reduction. She created and managed a number of social media platforms and enjoyed designing health promotional materials.
Savannah grew up adventuring in the mountains of Colorado and Wyoming. She joins Isla after completion of a self-designed internship with a grassroots NGO, Sahayatri Nepal, located in Kathmandu. During her time in Nepal she organized health education and empowerment programs for women in rural communities and taught sexual health classes in government schools. Her extensive experience in small restaurant management allowed her to assist in progressing Sahayatri’s budgeting and marketing.
A passion for connecting with people from diverse backgrounds and the need to learn new perspectives led Savannah to travel to a number of places, including a global health study abroad trip in Northern India; volunteering for a housing development project in Fiji; and educational experiences in Spain, France, Peru, and Morocco. She is excited to be a resource in connecting people to life changing opportunities. Savannah may be reached at info@isla-serve.org.
Savannah grew up adventuring in the mountains of Colorado and Wyoming. She joins Isla after completion of a self-designed internship with a grassroots NGO, Sahayatri Nepal, located in Kathmandu. During her time in Nepal she organized health education and empowerment programs for women in rural communities and taught sexual health classes in government schools. Her extensive experience in small restaurant management allowed her to assist in progressing Sahayatri’s budgeting and marketing.
A passion for connecting with people from diverse backgrounds and the need to learn new perspectives led Savannah to travel to a number of places, including a global health study abroad trip in Northern India; volunteering for a housing development project in Fiji; and educational experiences in Spain, France, Peru, and Morocco. She is excited to be a resource in connecting people to life changing opportunities. Savannah may be reached at info@isla-serve.org.
