Stefanie Leigh Plant
Technical Advisor for Enterprise Development and Employment
International Rescue Committee
Stefanie Leigh Plant serves as technical advisor for enterprise development and employment at the International Rescue Committee, as well as focal point for all economic recovery and developing programming across several key geographies. In this role, Stefanie works to smooth the transition from basic needs-based humanitarian assistance to longer term economic development through the design and stewardship of initiatives centered around entrepreneurship, job skills training and placement, SME growth, private sector partnerships, and financial inclusion — all aimed to improve the livelihoods of displaced persons, impoverished host communities, and refugees.
Prior to IRC, Stefanie worked to improve health infrastructure in Tanzania as a program director with the Touch Foundation, served as a strategy and implementation consultant to NGOs and nonprofits in human rights, advocacy, healthcare, and education with the firm CCS, and managed an international industrial supply chain and distribution operation in the private sector. Her background working with NGOs, nonprofits, and social enterprises is complemented by a wealth of experience across the developing world, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. She has additional regional experience in Middle East / North Africa (MENA), Latin America, and Southeast Asia.
Stefanie holds a BA in economics from Harvard University and an MBA with concentrations in strategic management, entrepreneurship, and marketing from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. She speaks English, has professional proficiency in French, and as usual, her Swahili needs improvement.