Laura Phelan
About Laura Phelan
Laura Phelan is a Business Development Specialist at Catholic Relief Services in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, where she has worked since 2020. She has a background in international development and holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from Georgetown University and a Master of Arts in International Relations from American University.
Work at Catholic Relief Services
Laura Phelan has been serving as a Business Development Specialist at Catholic Relief Services since 2020. In this role, she is based in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, where she has contributed to various initiatives aimed at improving community resilience and development. Prior to her current position, she worked as a Program Manager for Emergency MEAL and Markets from 2017 to 2020, also in Les Cayes and Port-au-Prince. Additionally, she held the position of International Development Fellow for nine months in 2016-2017, furthering her experience within the organization.
Education and Expertise
Laura Phelan holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in History from Georgetown University, which she attended from 2004 to 2008. She later pursued a Master of Arts (M.A.) in International Relations and Affairs at American University, completing her studies from 2012 to 2014. Her educational background provides her with a solid foundation in historical context and international development, which she applies in her professional roles.
Previous Work Experience
Before her current role at Catholic Relief Services, Laura Phelan gained diverse experience in various organizations. She worked as a Refugee Policy Intern at Church World Service in 2014 and as a Performance Evaluation Intern at Social Impact in 2015. Additionally, she served as an Associate at Chemonics International, focusing on East and Southern Africa from 2015 to 2016. Her role as Site Coordinator at For Love of Children from 2009 to 2010 further enriched her experience in program management and community engagement.
Professional Development
Throughout her career, Laura Phelan has engaged in roles that emphasize program management, evaluation, and international development. Her positions have allowed her to work in various capacities, from managing emergency programs to developing policies related to refugee assistance. This breadth of experience has equipped her with the skills necessary to navigate complex development challenges effectively.