Think Creative Spring 2022

Think Creative by Creative Associates International

Letter from Leland Kruvant President & CEO Creative Associates International

CREATIVE SENIOR LEADERSHIP

Founder & Board Chair Charito Kruvant

President & CEO Leland Kruvant

Executive VP & Chief Innovation Officer Pablo Maldonado

As this issue of Think Creative goes to press, our staff around the world are celebrating Creative’s 45th anniversary as a social impact company. Forty-five years of providing meaningful, lasting change for millions of people in nearly 100 countries. In 1977, four talented and visionary women knew that development could be done better and dared to fracture the old-boys network of government contracting. It is an amazing story that continues to inspire and motivate us today. Since then, Creative has grown to become a world-class organization, an achievement that is due in no

small part to its outstanding teammembers. My colleagues in Guatemala, Ghana, Jordan, the United States and elsewhere have made Creative what it is today with their dedication, optimism, resistance and fortitude. While we have developed the tools andmethodologies to support our globally resourced, locally focused work, our staff around the globe have brought it to life with their technical skills and community understanding. Our colleagues have taken on seemingly insur mountable challenges and created positive impact in the lives of everyday people. The stories of their efforts are

reflected in this and every issue of Think Creative .

Anniversaries are about more than reflecting on our past. They are a moment to look ahead and to use themomentumwe have built for our clients, partners and beneficia ries to address new challenges and reach new successes. The need for Creative’s expertise has never been greater, and this moment challenges us to do even more in the years ahead. As we look around the world today, there is still much work to be done. Sincerely,

Chief Operating Officer Sani Daher

Chief Growth Officer Benjamin Feit

Chief Financial Officer Oswaldo Holguin

VP, External Relations Jessica Kruvant

VP, Global Operations Noy Villalobos

VP, Education Eileen St. George

VP, Economic Growth Jim Winkler

VP, Communities in Transition Sharon Van Pelt

VP, Business Development Ailea Sneller

EDITORIAL STAFF

20 Feature Stories 20 // Building Community: How a Survey Reduced Ethnic Strife in Ghana 22 // The Economics of Stability: Creative study finds that formal bank accounts serve to anchor Salvadorans facing one of the top drivers of migration 25 Creative Life A mission-driven community 26 // Staff Spotlight: Manal Chafik 27 // • Staff Photos • Staff Celebrate Creative’s 45th Anniversary 28 // Breaking the Bias: Women across Creative discuss challenges and strides towards equality 30 // Walk this Way: A day in the life of Lukman Imoro, Ghana Upper East Field Monitor for USAID/OTI Littorals Regional Initiative (LRI)

Senior Director, Communications Michael J. Zamba

Art Direction Amanda Smallwood

Building Community 20 p.

Communications Manager Marta S. Maldonado

Strategic Content Manager Sabra Ayres

The Economics of Stability 22 p.

Digital Media Manager Olivia Chapman

Think Creative is published three times a year by Creative Associates International, a global development organization dedicated to supporting people around the world to realize the positive change they seek. The content is produced by Creative and does not represent the policies or positions of its clients, partners or host governments. Reproduction of any or all of Think Creative is prohibited without prior written permission. Copyright ©2022.

For more information about Think Creative , please email us at ThinkCreative@CreativeDC.com

4445 Willard Avenue NW, Suite 400 Chevy Chase, MD 20815 + 202.966.5804 Creative Associates International

30 p. Meet Manal!

Photos by Skip Brown (Leland Kruvant); Erick Gibson (Ghana); edfuentesg via istock.com (San Salvador); Ahmed Chafik (Chafik)

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