Welcome Simone, our new Economic Justice Program Manager!
Last fall we said goodbye to Jackie DeCarlo after seven years on the Economic Justice Team at CRS. Today, we’re happy to welcome on board Simone Blanchard as our new Economic Justice Program Manager. Simone has also served CRS for over seven years. She has worked as a Relationship Manager in CRS’ Southeast regional office, where she led the promotion of fair trade and advocacy for the region. She has also previously served as the manager of our Haiti Partnership Unit and as Program Specialist for the Partnership and Capacity Strengthening Unit, writing and researching for CRS’ large scale initiatives. She holds a Master’s degree in International Affairs and Development from Clark Atlanta University. Read on for her reflection about joining the team this spring!
It is early in the morning, the sun is pink against the snowy sky; I am drinking a cup of Café Campesino Fair Trade coffee, 
reflecting on my journey. Although it was 5 years ago when I was in El Salvador visiting with the farmers from ACOES cooperative, the experience is still very near to me. I actually wrote a blog about it, with a little digging you can find it deep in the CRS FT Blog archives. Prior to this experience I worked as a Relationship Manager for the CRS Southeast Regional office. I had given many talks about CRS and Fair Trade, even led retreats, but the opportunity to meet the people behind the movement is what solidified my commitment to economic justice. I felt like the threads that connect us together were woven even tighter and that their struggle was also my struggle.
Throughout my career at CRS and in my personal life I have had the opportunity to work with people who are committed to the kind of love that binds the rich to the poor, makes the free zealous for the cause of the oppressed and calls those who are strong to take care of those who are weak and vulnerable[1]. I consider this work a privilege and a blessing. I have worked for CRS for close to 8 years, first as a Relationship Manager, then as a Manager for the USOps Haiti Partnership Unit, and most recently in our Overseas Operations unit working on a large scale partnership initiative to strengthen partnerships with over 1,000 partners around the world. I consider this work to be a privilege and a blessing. I am excited and grateful for the opportunity to work together with the CRS Economic Justice Team, and with all of you, our wonderful Ambassadors, Fans, partners and supporters.
[1] Called to Global Solidarity, U.S Catholic Bishops, 1997
