Our team

Our programs are led by those who speak the local languages, know the culture and understand the unique challenges of each community. More than 93 percent of our field staff are from the countries where they work. Their hard work and personal commitment to success helps lift their neighbors from poverty.

Are you a Mercy Corps person? Explore opportunities to join our team ▸

Meet some of our team members

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  Christine Adong, Administrative Officer, Uganda

  Christine survived years of terrible conflict in northern Uganda. As a child, her family was forced to flee their village when rebels attacked. As a young woman, she moved to the capital, but couldn't turn her back on her home and her people. In 2006 she became Mercy Corps' first employee in Uganda, and has been helping us bring peace, prosperity and hope to northern Uganda ever since.
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  Moses Guot Deng, Program Manager, South Sudan

  Moses joined Mercy Corps in 2006 and immediately got to work helping people improve their livelihoods through farmer trainings and cash-for-work projects. From the start, his diligence and dedication have ensured our programs have a meaningful impact on communities in need. “There are many people who have been able to provide for their families and children’s education just because of these projects,” he says.
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  Fassouma Zara Massago Nagona, HR Manager, Niger

  Zara was born in western Niger, where the few girls who are lucky enough to attend school are pulled out at the age of 12 to get married. Despite the odds, Zara fought to complete her education and enter the professional workforce. Now she holds a Master’s degree, manages Mercy Corps’ human resources in Niger and uses her position to mentor other young people. “My goal is to help girls succeed,” she says. “Because when a woman is successful, there is progress for the whole family.”

Executive Leadership

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  Neal Keny-Guyer, CEO

  Neal Keny-Guyer is a social entrepreneur committed to creating a more just and peaceful world. A native of Tennessee, Keny-Guyer holds a B.A. in Public Policy and Religion from Duke University, and a master’s degree in Public and Private Management (M.P.P.M.) from Yale University. Mr. Keny-Guyer joined Mercy Corps in 1994 as Chief Executive Officer. Neal’s Bio ▸

Board of Directors

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  Allen S. Grossman, Board Chair

  Allen Grossman is a part time Senior Fellow at Harvard Business School, where he taught for 15 years. His passion for education, nonprofit governance and social entrepreneurship has led to his successful career holding a variety of high-ranking leadership roles and seats on several nonprofit and for-profit boards. Allen’s Bio ▸

Global Leadership Council

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  Linda Mason, Global Leadership Council Chair & Honorary Board Chair

  Linda Mason is Chair and Founder of Bright Horizons, the largest worldwide provider of worksite childcare and early education. She is the former co-director of Save the Children's emergency program in Sudan, and she currently serves as Leader-in-Residence at the Center for Public Leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School. Linda’s Bio ▸

Mercy Corps' Founders

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  Dan O'Neill, Founder

  In 1979, Dan co-founded Save the Refugees Fund, an emergency relief task force assisting Cambodian refugees following the infamous “Killing Fields” catastrophe. In 1980, he attended White House Cambodia Crisis Committee events at the request of then-First Lady Rosalynn Carter, who has continued to lend her support and encouragement over three decades. In 1981, Dan incorporated Mercy Corps with a mission to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people to build just, secure and productive communities. Dan’s Bio ▸
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  Ells Culver, Co-Founder

  Ells Culver served as Mercy Corps' President from 1984 to 1993 and Senior Vice-President until his death in August 2005. His interest in international humanitarian work began at an early age: he spent his early childhood in China, where his parents were missionaries. Throughout his life, he was committed to bringing relief, understanding and hope to the world’s poorest families. Read Dan’s tribute to Ells ▸