International leader
Age:36
Organization: USAID
Title: Citizen Security Lead
City: Washington DC
As the Citizen Security Lead at USAID/Colombia, Ileana Valle oversees the citizen security, human rights, and justice portfolio within the Venezuela Response and Integration Office (VRIO) which works closely with the Government of Colombia in its response to the current migration crisis.
She has served in project management, operations, and global development for more than 15 years in private, public, and nonprofit sectors.
Previously she served as the vice president and COO of Equanimity Foundation (EQF) a US-Based nonprofit organization committed to inclusive, sustainable, and transformative global development. She has delivered project oversite and strategic direction to EQF’s international presence across Latin America.
She has also served as senior operations and account management consultant for an Austin-based tech company and led the operational direction and development of company policies while managing a diverse portfolio of clients across the U.S.
She brings considerable on-the-ground experience and has lived and worked in Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Colombia, and Italy.
She also serves as the vice-chair on the executive board of the Mujeres de Hispanic Alliance For Career Enhancement (HACE) in Washington, D.C., and previously served on the board of directors of WCAPS, the executive board of the Association of Latino Professionals for America and as the chair of the board of directors for Latinas Leading Tomorrow.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Strayer University and a master’s degree in international relations from Johns Hopkins University.
Through the Mujeres de HACE leadership program she gained the tools to continue growing and strengthening her career. She also met a group of impressive women that inspire her every day. This was the major impetus for her to seek more involvement in the HACE network and to later apply for a leadership position on the Washington, DC auxiliary board. This exposure continues to support her international development career, while also growing her network in D.C., and across the country.
