Two DukeEngage WISER alumni are now professionally involved with WISER International, a Kenyan nonprofit and long-time DukeEngage community partner.
Zack Fowler (’16), Managing Director, is based in the U.S., and Leah Catotti (’15) is Managing Director of Operations & Strategy, based in Kenya. The positions involve storytelling, organizational strategy, community partnerships and fundraising — all of which are strong areas of interest for the two, both of whom received their degrees from Duke in Global Health and Cultural Anthropology.
Dr. Sherryl Brovermen, the co-founder and chair of WISER, says Catotti and Fowler are examples of how the DukeEngage experience can evolve into a passion and a career.
“Both have been instrumental in helping WISER grow from a kitchen table program to a robust organization,” said Broverman. “Zack followed up on his DukeEngage experience with an honors thesis on why girls drop out of school that makes him our Kenyan educational policy expert to this day. Leah brings her significant organizational management skills to WISER and has helped us develop policies and procedures that will give WISER longevity after I eventually step down from leadership.”