Regional Program Manager
Ms. Elisabeth Feleke is currently working as the Regional Program Manager for West Africa for the Africa Center for Strategic Studies West Africa office based in Dakar, Senegal. Ms. Feleke liaises with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and U.S bilateral missions in the region on regional security issues. She initiates contact with key African defense, military and civic leaders and international partners; conducts research and solicits input on timely security topics in West Africa. She is also responsible for building outreach programs with Africa Center community members in 15 countries. In addition, she manages and coordinates all aspects of the Africa Center mission (operations, administration) in the region.
Prior to assuming her current position, Ms. Feleke worked as Senior Program Officer in the Academic Section of the Africa Center. She was responsible for developing curricula and executing academic programs such as the introduction to African Security Issues seminar designed to provide a basic understanding of political, social, military, and economic aspects of security in Africa; and to introduce major U.S. policies and programs regarding Africa to US Government personnel. With the Africa Center, Ms. Feleke also served as Deputy Director, Community Outreach and Public Affairs. She oversaw the participant affairs process, as well as the development of an Africa Center Community Network Program. She was responsible for designing and implementing outreach strategies and serves as a point person for outreach and external relations with the Africa Center Community and other pertinent organizations, to include international organizations, non-governmental organizations, think tanks, academic institutions, and corporations.
Prior to joining the Africa Center, Ms. Feleke worked as a research management officer for the World Agroforestry Center in Nairobi, Kenya. She was responsible for managing the operation of the Research Division with sites in over 10 countries around the world. She monitored project administration and research management processes and developed a knowledge/information management system for the institute. Ms. Feleke earned a master’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh, Graduate School of Public and International Affairs. She speaks English, French, Spanish, and Amharic.
Areas of Expertise
Environment and Security, Natural Resource Management, ECOWAS and African Sub-Regional Organizations Security Issues, Development Management and Security, General U.S Security Policy in Africa