Elissa Hawkins, CDE®

Validation Officer, CDE®,

As a Validation Officer, I currently support the Rapid Response Team with their validation of charities. In my previous roles at CAF America, I served on the Grants Team as a Validation Associate and on the Donor Services Team as an Officer, Corporate Services where I assisted our donor clients with their international grantmaking. I am constantly inspired by the passion and dedication the charities have for the work they do.

Prior to joining CAF America, I interned at the Southern Sudanese Community Center of San Diego, the American Council of Young Political Leaders, and the Global Language Network. I also taught English at an elementary school in Seoul, South Korea and worked as a middle school substitute teacher in Los Angeles, California.

In my spare time, I love studying languages, traveling, reading, practicing Hapkido and Taekwondo, and playing my flute.

I have a B.A. in International Security and Conflict Resolution with an emphasis in Cooperation, Conflict, and Conflict Resolution, and a minor in Spanish from San Diego State University. I am currently pursuing a dual degree with a Master’s in International Security from the Institut Barcelona d’Estudis Internacionals and Master of Laws in International Law & Security, LLM at the University of Glasgow.

I am certified in Anti-Money Laundering (AML/CFT) by the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and I am a Certified Diversity Executive (CDE®) from the Institute for Diversity Certification.

Get in touch with me at elissa@cafamerica.org

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