March 17, 2008, New York, NY – The Global Partnership for Afghanistan (GPFA) has appointed Roger Hardister, formerly Vice President for Program Development at the Near East Foundation (NEF), as Executive Director, based in Kabul.
"Roger Hardister comes to GPFA at a time when we are dramatically expanding the scope of our programs and technical capabilities on the ground in Afghanistan,” said Dana Freyer, co-chair of GPFA. “He is well positioned to assure that our efforts to improve the livelihoods of the Afghan people are strategically targeted, technically sound and sustainable.” By 2008, GPFA's community-based planting activities are expected to yield 2.5 million new trees, providing Afghan men, women and children with increased food, environmental and health benefits, and in time, income that rivals the profit from poppies.
As GPFA’s Executive Director, Roger Hardister will draw on nearly thirty years of experience in NGO and program management across a variety of technical specializations. “Roger is recognized for his creativity in program design and respect for local people,” said Ms. Freyer. “He brings a deep commitment to working with local leadership, an emphasis on improving professional practice, and a keen support for enhancing the capacities of local partners and community-based organizations.”
“I’m looking forward to working with the board of directors to extend the reach of GPFA’s crucial programs in Afghanistan,” said Mr. Hardister. “As part of this effort, I will be working closely with staff and local partners to enhance their skills and to develop the systems required for increased participation in all aspects of GPFA’s work.”
Mr. Hardister was based in Cairo, Egypt, for much of his tenure with NEF, a respected international philanthropic organization with headquarters in New York. Prior to his position as Vice President for Program Development, he served as NEF’s Program Director for Egypt and Sudan. He later established the foundation’s Cairo regional office to serve the Middle East, North Africa and the Horn. Mr. Hardister served as Regional Director for more than 15 years. He established NEF offices and independent program activities in 10 countries.
As NEF Regional Director, Mr. Hardister was responsible for developing and overseeing large-scale projects in individual countries as well as those involving multiple offices and complex technical issues. In addition to program design, development, and monitoring/evaluation, Mr. Hardister oversaw management and financial systems, planning, fundraising, and donor relations. His projects have supported rural and urban development, horticulture improvement, business development, credit facilitation, education, training, health/nutrition and water resources as well as other income-generating activities. He has worked extensively to build linkages, develop networks, and establish umbrella programs that support activities on the ground and encourage local participation and community-based initiatives.
Mr. Hardister holds a master’s degree in social work (Organization and Community Studies) and a bachelor’s degree in sociology and psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He has served as a faculty member in the graduate studies program of the UNC School of Social Work and as a management consultant for the University’s regional Institute for Social Services Planning. Mr. Hardister moved to Cairo as Chief of Party for UNC’s USAID-funded rural development project and later worked as a private consultant to North American and European based development donors as well as local NGOs, providing training and technical support. He continued as an adjunct faculty member with UNC well into the 1990s.
Roger Hardister will assume his position as GPFA's executive director on March 17, 2008.