Linda Raftree (@meowtree) supports various organizations with strategy, program design, research, and technology in international development initiatives. She has worked at the intersection of community development, participatory media, youth, gender, and information and communication technologies (ICT) since 1994. Linda is currently advising the Girl Effect Mobile (GEM) program on safety, security and privacy as well as overall strategy, good practice in girls and technology approaches, and partnership development. She also advises The Rockefeller Foundation’s Evaluation Office on the use of ICTs in monitoring and evaluation and worked for many years with Plan International USA on youth engagement, innovation, transparency and overall strategy. She has conducted research on adolescent girls and ICTs for UNICEF, the role of ICTs in child/youth migration for the Oak Foundation, mobile technologies and youth workforce development for the mEducation Alliance, and ICT-enabled monitoring and evaluation for Rockefeller. She also supported New York University's Center on International Cooperation to develop their communication strategy. Linda is a co-founder of Regarding Humanity, which encourages debate and dialogue around the portrayal of ‘the poor’ in the media, social impact work, and non-profit marketing. She runs Technology Salons in New York City and advocates for ethical approaches to ICT design, use and data privacy in the humanitarian and development space. Linda created WhiteSave.me, a commentary on techno-utopianism and privilege.
-Girl Effect: exploring the role of digital platforms, tools, products and services for supporting adolescent girls to access their rights and improve their wellbeing. (advisor on strategy, implementation, privacy and safety)
-MERL Tech: conference, blog, and discussion forum that facilitate discussion and learning about the role of digital data and new technology in monitoring, evaluation, research and learning (co-founder and co-organizer)
-Rockefeller Foundation's Evaluation Office: supporting work that expands opportunity and strengthens resilience to social, economic, health and environmental challenges. (special advisor on ICTs and monitoring and evaluation)
-Regarding Humanity: fostering dialogue about relevant, representative and respectful representation of 'the poor.' (co-founder)
-Kurante: helping organizations better understand how technology can improve development outcomes. (co-founder)
-Technology Salon: convening and facilitating discussion on the role of ICTs in international development. (co-founder and NYC convener)
-White Save Me: the app that helps white men deliver privilege with a simple tap of the finger. (co-creator)
This is a personal blog that does not represent official views of my current, past or future employers, affiliates or other organizations with whom I engage. Any opinions expressed herein are my own, and I take responsibility for them.
