Volunteer With World Savvy
"Volunteering at the World Savvy Challenge provided me with the unique opportunity to view the world’s pressing problems through the eyes of youth. These solution-based presentations truly reaffirmed my belief that we can change the world for the better."
– Volunteer Judge
Globalizing Teaching and Learning
"Students can see connections to their world. World Savvy provided so many resources to make my math lessons more meaningful, more relevant to my students."
- Shawna Gallo, Teacher
Board of Directors
"[World Savvy] has never lost sight of the importance of building a strong organizational structure that supports and is supported by quality leadership." World Savvy Supporter
Madiha Murshed, Co-Founder
Madiha graduated from Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs in May 2002 with a Master in International Affairs, and a concentration in Economic and Political Development. She received a Bachelor‘s Degree in Development Economics from Harvard College in June 1999. She lived in Bangladesh, Bahrain and Singapore before coming to the U.S. to attend college, and brings a rich perspective on international affairs to the organization. Since May 2006, Madiha has served as Executive Director at Services for Professional Education and Enterprise Development in Dhaka, Bangladesh. It is an adult training center for teacher and professionals and we run workshops and courses on Teacher Training, English Language Development and Corporate Professional Development. She is also a Director at Scholastica, the largest English-medium private school in Bangladesh, working on various management and administrative issues in Scholastica including faculty affairs, curriculum development and student-parent relationships.
Anita Trachte, Chairperson
Anita has served as a consultant for several years to Buchanan Investments, a private equity firm, in various capacities related to the firm's financial services portfolio. Prior to becoming involved in venture capital she spent a number of years as head of international loan syndications at Marine Midland Bank, now HSBC, in both New York and London, and Wells Fargo Bank in San Francisco. As part of her responsibilities at these institutions, she traveled extensively in Europe and the Middle East. She is a graduate of the Catholic University of America and holds an MBA from the University of Washington.
Douglas A. Tilden, Vice Chairperson
Doug began his international shipping career in 1969, serving in capacities ranging from operations to President/CEO of Marine Terminals Corporation Holdings to Chairman of Ports America Group. The experience of living and working across the U.S., Oceania, Asia, the Middle East and South America continues to drive his strong interest in international affairs. He now uses his experience and vast international networks to benefit community and education related pursuits, including involvement with the operations of CARE International and Children International, and sponsoring education based projects at the Fine Arts Museums and UCSF in San Francisco. In addition to his Board role at World Savvy, Doug is a Trustee of the Archeological Institute of America, The Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, and the SFJAZZ music program.
Douglas H. Polak, CFA, CAIA, Treasurer
Doug is currently a portfolio manager and Executive Director in JP Morgan’s Global Multi-Asset Group. Prior to rejoining JP Morgan, Doug served as COO and Head of Marketing at Third Wave Global Investors, LLC, a global macro hedge fund based in Greenwich, CT. Prior to Third Wave, Doug developed and headed Columbia Management Group's Strategic Advisory Services department, providing asset allocation and other advisory services to institutional investors. In one entrepreneurial assignment, Doug headed the Product Development Team in charge of developing investment software at mPower Advisors LLC in San Francisco. Prior, Doug also worked at J.P. Morgan in their Global Markets and Investment Management divisions and at Merrill Lynch & Co. in their Investment Banking division. Doug, who is a Chartered Financial Analyst and Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst, holds a B.A. in Economics from Davidson College and an MBA in Finance from Duke University.
Patricia Hoven, Secretary
In January 2000, Pat formed Corporate Community Partnerships, a consulting business. Prior to forming her business, Pat was V.P. of Social Responsibility for Honeywell. Her responsibilities while at Honeywell for over 20 years included the Honeywell Foundation, Community Relations and Local Government Affairs. Pat has served on many non-profit boards locally and nationally. Presently she is a member of the bad o Plymouth Church Neighborhood Foundation, Race for the Cure, Steven’s Square Foundation, and ClearWay Minnesota, of which she is chair.
Carmen Fariña
Carmen has worked in the New York City school system for more than 40 years, as a teacher, principal and superintendent. In 2006, Carmen Fariña retired from her role as deputy chancellor of teaching and learning in the New York City public schools. Author of A School Leader's Guide to Excellence: Collaborating Our Way to Better Schools, Ms. Farina played a central role in Mayor Bloomberg's remaking of the New York City school system. Currently, Ms. Farina serves on the board of directors for Teachers Network, a nationwide nonprofit organization based in New York City that seeks to improve student achievement by bringing together a professional community of teachers and other educators.
Deborah Barber
Deborah Barber is a skilled and experienced consultant who specializes in the areas of organizational effectiveness and change, leadership development and the transformation of Human Resources. She has 35-years of expertise in Human Resources and consulting that is focused on assessing and solving tough leadership and organizational capacity building issues. She provides valued coaching and consulting to executives, key senior leaders and to those HR leaders seeking to play a more impactful and valued role in their businesses. Her consulting practice draws from a broad-based background in leading organizations through fast, dynamic growth and transformation and from building business-oriented, high-impact human resource organizations. Most recently a Principal with the Jackson Hole Group, Deborah’s corporate experience includes: Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Worldwide Real Estate, Facilities and Corporate Services at Aspect; and Vice President of Human Resources and Worldwide Real Estate and Corporate Services at Quantum Corporation. She was also Vice President of Human Resources at Cray Research Inc. and held senior level HR positions at Honeywell.
Chiara Garonzik
Chiara graduated from Columbia University's Teachers College in May of 2004 with a Masters in Bilingual/Bicultural Education. She taught in a dual-language (Spanish and English) first grade classroom at a public school in New York City until starting at Columbia Law School. Before receiving her J.D. in 2008, she clerked at The National Center for Youth Law in Oakland, CA and Children's Rights in New York. Chiara practiced law in corporate litigation at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP until late 2010. During her legal career thus far, she has worked on a number of pro bono matters in the areas of family law, immigration, and special education with Sanctuary for Families and Advocates for Children, among other nonprofits. Chiara currently serves as a pro bono attorney for The Legal Aid Society's Education Advocacy Project and does project-based work for The New Teacher Project. She received her B.A. in Government with a minor in Education from Dartmouth College in 2001.
