Meet the “Impact” Woman at the NPCA….Juliana Essen (Thailand)

As Chief Impact Officer, Juliana Essen strives to heighten NPCA’s capacity as a social impact organization in an integrated and comprehensive way. Her key responsibilities include strengthening strategic thinking and evidence-based decision making; stimulating an environment of learning and improvement; prioritizing communications as a primary vehicle of impact; supporting membership, development, and revenue-generating efforts; building collaborative relationships within and beyond the Peace Corps community; and developing NPCA’s third strategic goal: amplifying the Peace Corps community’s global development impact.

Before joining NPCA, Juliana enjoyed a first career in academia. She earned a PhD in cultural anthropology specializing in sustainable development and spent 12 years teaching at a small, private liberal arts college in southern California. In 2015, Juliana left academia for the social impact sector where she could more fully engage her values. She completed a professional degree in social enterprise and launched her new career as Operations Director at Tandana Foundation, a nonprofit organization facilitating cultural exchange and community development in Ecuador and Mali. Juliana served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Thailand from 1993 to 1995.

Juliana works remotely from her home in Laguna Beach, which she shares with her husband, daughter, and big black Lab.

Drop Juliana a note and welcome her to the NPCA, or offer to take her Lab for a walk in the park. She’s at: juliana@peacecorpsconnect.org