I’ve been working in international development for about a decade now. I have worked for NGOs, contractors, the US government, and a UN agency. I’ve been an intern, a manager, and a technical specialist. I’ve been in charge of programs in East Africa, Central Asia, and the Middle East. I’ve been to four of the world’s most dangerous places. The biggest portfolio I ever had was about fifty million dollars, and the most fun I ever had was running a country program in Turkmenistan. I’ve got an undergrad degree from Georgetown and a Master’s in Public Health from Boston University. I speak decent French and Uzbek and some Russian, Arabic, and Urdu.
If you want to get in touch, email me: alannaDOTshaikhATgmail.com
You can find my writing in places beyond Blood and Milk. I write sporadically for UN Dispatch, and every Monday for Tomorrow Global.