From Land O’Lakes Venture37
SAFE’s Expert Consulting Volunteer
(California, USA)
We are excited to introduce Talena Mara, who recently joined our team as an Expert Consulting Volunteer at SAFE on behalf of Land O’Lakes Venture37 under the USAID-funded Farmer-to-Farmer Program Inclusive Food Systems (F2F IFS). With over two decades of experience in education and non-profit executive administration, Talena brings a wealth of knowledge and a diverse skill set that will significantly enhance our capacity to implement effective and innovative programs.
Before joining SAFE, Talena served as the inaugural Vice President of Education at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts (SCFTA) since 2009. In this role, she led large-scale educational initiatives that served over 500,000 people annually across Southern California. Her leadership experience is particularly valuable as we aim to sustainably expand our reach and impact in rural Rwanda.
Talena has also had a distinguished academic career, with a 16-year tenure as faculty and department chair at The Juilliard School in New York City, alongside teaching positions at City University of New York (CUNY) and the Manhattan School of Music. This experience enriches our training and development programs, providing a rigorous academic perspective that will benefit our mission.
Her expertise in community engagement and public sector collaboration has been honed through her work with the New York City Department of Education and leading school reform initiatives in New Haven and Philadelphia. This background is crucial as we integrate our programs with local educational systems and community structures in Rwanda.
Talena’s international experience aligns directly with SAFE’s mission. She has presented at United Nations diplomatic events in New York City and Washington D.C., sharing her research on the creative process and its influence on cultural diplomacy and community building. Furthermore, her advisory role in USAID-funded gender equity projects for women in rural Zambia and Rwanda supports our focus on empowering rural women through the GALS methodology.
Her multifaceted skill set includes teaching, strategic planning, organizational leadership, and governance, all of which will be invaluable for guiding SAFE’s growth and ensuring the effectiveness of our programs. Talena’s ability to apply creative approaches to community development and cultural diplomacy offers innovative perspectives for our work in Rwanda.
Academically, Talena holds a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership, a Master of Music in Vocal Performance, and bachelor’s degrees in education and music, along with an all-level credential as an educator. This diverse educational background equips her with a unique blend of business acumen, artistic sensibility, and pedagogical expertise, contributing to her effectiveness as an advisor to SAFE.
