Team
Olivia started with DIG in 2013 with a vision for adapting and expanding our programs in Western Kenya. Her expertise is in sustainable agriculture, environmental management, community based agribusiness, gender equity, and monitoring and evaluation. Olivia has brought immeasurable benefits to both the organization and our farmers in the region. She has a Bachelor of science in agriculture and a Masters in project planning and management. She is married and the mother of 2 exceptional boys who are proud to see their mother leading other women towards improved health and empowerment through nutrition sensitive agriculture.
Gloria is the Program Coordinator for the Uganda DIG program. After graduating with a diploma in business from the Uganda College of Commerce in December 2017, she joined the DIG team as a facilitator the next month. Using lessons her mother taught her from childhood, Gloria’s skill and knowledge of organic agriculture made her a great teacher. Her ability to engage communities personally, commitment to high quality work, and strong leadership at staff meetings made her a standout choice for coordinator. She has seen 20 groups through farmer field sc hools and she is motivated to continue expanding the reach of the program to more communities
Seckou was trained in DIG’s Farmer Field School Program in 2019 and joined in 2020. Prior to joining DIG, Seckou was living and working in Senegal's capital Dakar, Seckou. Through his work, he started to become interested in community development and wanted to make a difference in people’s lives. Coming back to his birthplace, Ziguinchor, Seckou was eager to get involved in the community and joined DIG’s Farmer Field School. From farmer to facilitator, Today, Seckou is DIG’s Program Manager and leads our program in Senegal.
Sarah co-founded DIG in 2006 while serving in the US Peace Corps in Senegal, West Africa. She is passionate about centering communities in their own solution building and is always working to better understand her role in that. She was awarded a Youth Action Net fellowship, is a LEAD Atlanta alumnus, and Cordes Fellow. Most recently, she is an alumnus of Santa Clara University’s Global Social Benefit Institute run through the Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship and was recognized as one of Georgia Trend Magazine's 2019 40 under 40.
Lauren joined DIG in 2016 to launch our program in Southern Uganda. Lauren holds a Master’s Degree in Global Policy Studies and a certificate in nonprofit management from the University of Texas at Austin and a BSc in soil science and forestry. She has over eight years’ experience, leading outreach programs in conservation, sustainable agriculture, and wildlife protection under USAID, the US Peace Corps, and Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary. Lauren is passionate about co-creating food systems alongside farmers, families, and communities.
Melissa is honored to join the DIG team as the first Director of Development. She has a deep-rooted passion for international sustainable development and solutions led and driven by the communities served. Melissa bridges DIG’s mission with the interest and commitment of its supporters to help drive impact. Alongside this important work, Melissa and her husband can be found exploring new corners of the world with their 4 kids ages 2-20.
Noah Derman holds a Master in Public Health from the Global Health Department at the University of Washington’s School of Public Health and an International Development Certificate from the Evans School of Public Affairs. He is a professor of Public Health at the University of Vermont. He has eight years of experience working on public health issues in the public and private sectors both domestically and internationally. He was also a Peace Corps Volunteer and served communities impacted by HIV/AIDS in Northeast Thailand.
