Our team

Our programmes are led by those who speak the local languages, know the culture and understand the unique challenges of each community. More than 93 percent of our field staff are from the countries where they work. Their hard work and personal commitment to success helps lift their neighbors from poverty.

Are you a Mercy Corps person? See opportunities to join our team ▸

Meet some of our team members

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  Christine Adong, Administrative Officer, Uganda

  Christine survived years of terrible conflict in northern Uganda. As a child, her family was forced to flee their village when rebels attacked. As a young woman, she moved to the capital, but couldn't turn her back on her home and her people. In 2006 she became Mercy Corps' first employee in Uganda, and has been helping us bring peace, prosperity and hope to northern Uganda ever since.

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  Moses Guot Deng, Programme Manager, South Sudan

  Moses joined Mercy Corps in 2006 and immediately got to work helping people improve their livelihoods through farmer trainings and cash-for-work projects. From the start, his diligence and dedication have ensured our programmes have a meaningful impact on communities in need. “There are many people who have been able to provide for their families and children’s education just because of these projects,” he says.

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  Fassouma Zara Massago Nagona, HR Manager, Niger

  Zara was born in western Niger, where the few girls who are lucky enough to attend school are pulled out at the age of 12 to get married. Despite the odds, Zara fought to complete her education and enter the professional workforce. Now she holds a Master’s degree, manages Mercy Corps’ human resources in Niger and uses her position to mentor other young people. “My goal is to help girls succeed,” she says. “Because when a woman is successful, there is progress for the whole family.”

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  Diana Roa, Chief of Land Mine Assistance Programme, Colombia

  Diana has committed herself to helping land mine survivors — in Yemen, Nicaragua, Afghanistan and now her native country, Colombia, home to the largest number of new mine victims in the world. “Every time I meet a land mine survivor is a completely new experience,” says Diana. “But each one inspires me with their resilience and inner strength. They overcome so many challenges to rebuild their lives.”

Our executive leadership

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  Neal Keny-Guyer, CEO

  Neal Keny-Guyer is a social entrepreneur committed to creating a more just and peaceful world. A native of Tennessee, Keny-Guyer holds a B.A. in Public Policy and Religion from Duke University, an M.A. in Public and Private Management from Yale University, and an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Portland State University, Oregon. Neal’s Bio ▸

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  Tom Murray, Chairman, Mercy Corps European Headquarters

  Tom Murray has been Chairman of the Mercy Corps Europe Board since November 2015. Leading lawyer and Chairman at Gillespie Macandrew LLP in Edinburgh, Tom’s special interests are charities & NGOs, trusts & tax. Tom’s Bio ▸

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  Simon O'Connell, Executive Director, Mercy Corps European Headquarters and Senior Vice President for Global Partnerships

  Simon O’Connell is an experienced and entrepreneurial development professional with almost two decades living and working in numerous countries. Simon has responsibility for Mercy Corps’ European headquarters and oversees a global portfolio of programmes supported by our European partners. Simon's Bio ▸

Learn about our entire Board of Directors ▸

Our founders

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  Dan O'Neill, Founder

  In 1979, Dan co-founded Save the Refugees Fund, an emergency relief task force assisting Cambodian refugees following the infamous “Killing Fields” catastrophe. In 1980, he attended White House Cambodia Crisis Committee events at the request of then-First Lady Rosalynn Carter, who has continued to lend her support and encouragement over three decades. In 1981, Dan incorporated Mercy Corps with a mission to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people to build just, secure and productive communities. Dan’s Bio ▸

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  Ells Culver, Co-Founder

  Ells Culver served as President from 1984 to 1993 and Senior Vice-President until his death in August 2005. His interest in international humanitarian work began at an early age: he spent his early childhood in China, where his parents were missionaries. Throughout his life, he was committed to bringing relief, understanding and hope to the world’s poorest families. Read Dan’s tribute to Ells ▸