Ryla Simmons, Cfre
About Ryla Simmons, Cfre
Ryla Simmons is the Regional Development Director at Catholic Relief Services, where she has worked since 2011. She holds a B.A. in Anthropology from Texas A&M University and has experience in communications, marketing, and development across various organizations.
Work at Catholic Relief Services
Ryla Simmons serves as the Regional Development Director at Catholic Relief Services (CRS) since 2011. In this role, she focuses on engaging leaders and communities with the organization's humanitarian efforts. Her responsibilities encompass a wide range of areas, including emergency response and recovery, health, agriculture, education, water and sanitation, justice and peace building, and partnership and capacity strengthening. Simmons operates within a region that includes seven states: Colorado, Hawaii, New Mexico, Utah, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Texas.
Education and Expertise
Ryla Simmons has a diverse educational background. She studied at Texas A&M University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from 1996 to 2000. She furthered her education at the University of Denver, achieving a degree in Global Community Engagement. Additionally, she studied at the Austin School of Photography, which adds to her skill set in visual communication.
Previous Work Experience
Before her current role at Catholic Relief Services, Ryla Simmons held several positions that contributed to her professional development. She worked as the Development Director at Catholic Charities of Central Texas from 2008 to 2011. Earlier in her career, she served as a Communications and Marketing Coordinator for AmeriCorps VISTA in Austin, TX, from 2001 to 2002. Additionally, she gained experience as a Production Department Intern at The Austin Chronicle from 2001 to 2002.
Focus Areas and Initiatives
In her role at Catholic Relief Services, Ryla Simmons focuses on eight key areas that are critical to the organization's mission. These areas include emergency response and recovery, health, agriculture, education, water and sanitation, justice and peace building, and partnership and capacity strengthening. Her work aims to address the needs of vulnerable communities and enhance their resilience through targeted initiatives.