Teja Padma (2010 Fellow) pursuing her passion for international development
By Teja Padma (2010 ProInspire Fellow)
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Nearly a year and a half ago, I left Mercer Consulting to join the Business Planning & Strategy team as a ProInspire Fellow at FHI 360, (formerly known as Family Health International). I learned more in the one year that I spent at FHI 360 than in the nearly three years that I spent at Mercer. Having the unique opportunity to work on a strategy team and interact closely with senior leadership and multiple departments taught me a tremendous amount about being successful in an organization, not just a nonprofit. I learned that soft skills, such as being able to adapt to change and learning how to be collaborative, are critical in any organization that brings together individuals with multiple agendas who need to work together towards a common goal. Some of the projects that I worked on during my fellowship year included spearheading an unprecedented landscape analysis across 15 global health and development areas by leading a 4-person research team. I also had the opportunity to interview Directors from different parts of the organization to design a partnership management toolkit and equip our staff members with the guidance and tools to effectively engage public and private partners. I was especially excited to work with a couple of our country offices in Africa by guiding them through their strategic business plans during my fellowship year.The ProInspire Fellows program was instrumental in contributing to my personal and professional growth during my fellowship as I developed friendships with other Fellows who understood both the rewarding and challenging aspects of my role at FHI 360. Being able to reflect with others on the challenges I faced helped me maintain my morale and enthusiasm at work, especially when I had a difficult period transitioning from the private to the nonprofit sector. I also found it inspiring to meet peers who shared my passion for making an impact in the social sector. I always looked forward to ProInspire trainings and coaching calls as these aspects of the program allowed me to learn from nonprofit leaders and kept me in check in terms of my professional and personal goals.
After completing my fellowship, I’ve been fortunate to continue working with FHI 360 and have stayed active with the Fellows community. I loved meeting the current class of Fellows, two of which have joined the Business Planning & Strategy team at FHI 360! Since I became a ProInspire Fellow, I have built a strong network of international development professionals, received admission to business school, and now I’m excited to pursue short-term opportunities abroad working for a local nonprofit or startup before going to business school in the Fall.
I once stated that ProInspire has “changed my life”— it’s not that far from the truth! As a result of joining the program, I’ve relocated from the West to the East Coast, finally pursued my lifelong passion for working in the international development field, and have met some amazing people who have inspired me to follow my dreams and work for a cause that I truly care about. I hope that current and future ProInspire Fellows can benefit from the program as much as I did too.