Think Creative Spring 2024

Noy Villalobos Chief Programs Officer

Noy Villalobos has been promoted to Chief Programs Officer, a new role that oversees operations and the three program divisions from Creative’s headquarters. Villalobos, a 20-year veteran of Creative with experience in operations, management and programs, was the acting Vice President of Business Development in 2023 and previously Vice President of Operations. “Noy was a clear choice for this new role as Chief Programs Officer, bringing a strong sense of determination and strategic thinking that are assets for our divisions,” says Leland Kruvant, Creative’s President & CEO. “She combines an in-depth knowledge of Creative’s programming approaches, operations and business development with an understanding of the shifting landscape of our industry and the needs of our clients.”

In addition to Villalobos’s headquarters experience, she has been posted to leadership roles in Latin America, as well as short-term technical assignments in other regions. Under Villalobos’s supervision are the company’s three program divisions– Education for Development, Economic Growth and Communities in Transition– and its Global Operations and Performance Division. “I am thrilled to work with my colleagues across the company in this exciting new role,” says Villalobos. “I have unwavering confidence that together we will drive innovation, foster transformative partnerships and create profound and lasting positive change through our programs.” n

Eileen Hoffman VP, Economic Growth

Eileen Hoffman has joined Creative as its Vice President of the Economic Growth Division, bringing 23 years of experience designing and managing economic growth projects, including 10 years working in developing countries and 11 years leading economic growth teams. “I have high expectations for EG given our successful work in West Africa, Central America and Asia,” says Leland Kruvant, Creative’s President & CEO. “Eileen is the right person for this position as, USAID’s economic growth policy highlights the importance of an enterprise-driven approach to sustainable economic growth, as well as the unique challenges that state fragility, climate and shocks pose to economic growth.” Previously, Hoffman was the Vice President of Program Quality and Accountability at Global Communities, where she served as part of the senior executive team and was responsible for ensuring technical excellence and impact in programming across sustainable development, humanitarian, conflict and post conflict contexts. Hoffman spent more than nine years at Chemonics as the Senior Advisor for Economic Growth and Trade and Senior Global Practice Lead of Economic Growth and Trade Practice Area. n

Sharon Cooley Senior VP of Business Development

Sharon Cooley has been appointed as Creative’s Senior Vice President of Business Development at Creative, where she worked for more than nine years until October 2020, including three years as the Senior Vice President of Business Development. “Sharon brings a commitment to our mission and vision. She is a natural leader and has a keen understanding of our clients’ needs and expectations,” says Leland Kruvant, Creative’s President & CEO. “She is returning to Creative both as a trusted former colleague and a good friend.” Until recently, Cooley was the Vice President of Business Development at Integrity, an ethical consultancy and service provider working in challenging and complex environments around the globe. Cooley’s

extensive experience includes the Mountain Studies Institute in Colorado and the Urban Institute in Washington, D.C., among others. “I am thrilled to be returning to Creative, a values-driven company whose commitment to positive and transformative change is in profound demand now more than ever,” says Sharon. “I also appreciate the company’s investment in its own staff’s growth and learning—and am proud to return to a company that provided me with unique opportunities.” Kruvant says Cooley’s business development experience–which includes fragility, conflict, governance, economic growth, education, climate change, and much more–is a perfect fit for Creative’s extensive portfolio of locally oriented development programs. n

Photos by Skip Brown (Villalobos, Cooley); submitted by Eileen Hoffman

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