Deep Appreciation Expressed for Service and Stewardship
MEDA is sharing the news that Michael White, Chief Marketing & Development Officer, will be wrapping up his employment at MEDA. “We are grateful for Michael’s service and stewardship over the last five years,” says Dorothy Nyambi, MEDA’s President & CEO.
While there is never a perfect time for an executive to make a transition, MEDA is now halfway through the strategic plan, and this is an opportunity for a new leader to build on what we have so we can get to the next level.
In spite of COVID-19, Michael and his team strengthened relationships across MEDA constituents, pivoting to virtual platforms and continuing to build connections through MEDA Hubs, social media and webinars.
As MEDA implemented its new Strategic Plan, “Towards an Equal World” with MEDA targeting decent work for 500, 000, Michael led his team and MEDA constituents through MEDA’s new opportunities and shifts, culminating in an in-person Convention in Lancaster in November of 2022 that brought staff, board and members together to celebrate MEDA’s progress and the new Mastercard Foundation Africa Growth Fund.
“As MEDA’s Board, we are excited about the continued relevance and impact MEDA is having through these new partnerships, our focus on agri-food sector and our North/South shifts,” says Rob Schlegel, MEDA Canada Board Chair.
Michael shares: “I have decided that the time is right for me to step aside and pursue other interests. These past five plus years at MEDA have been some of the most fulfilling and enriching of my career. It has been an honour to work alongside such a stellar group of highly competent, dedicated professionals all passionately committed to creating business solutions to poverty. Our private donors and board members while all successful business people, are above all the nicest, most generous people. The clients we serve inspire me with their vision, grit and determination. I applaud the direction MEDA is going in – to diversify our constituency, starting with the board, while we move more responsibility to the countries where we work and developing meaningful partnerships – all to create decent work.”
Michael’s last working day in the office is January 25, 2023. MEDA will hold an internal farewell event for Michael.
The Marketing & Development team will be supported internally while MEDA seeks an executive Chief Marketing & Development Officer. “We have confidence in the team’s experience, resilience and stability as we move through this leadership transition,” says Marcia Scheffler, MEDA’s VP People & Culture.
With the transition of this key role at MEDA, we ask for your support for the MEDA team as they navigate through this period. We invite recommendations and expressions of interest: please contact Marcia Scheffler at mscheffler@meda.org.
We offer Michael our deep appreciation for his leadership over the last five years and our best wishes for wherever he will next share his time, treasure, and talents.
