Kara Gaye

Technical Director, Disaster Risk Reduction and Response

Kara Gaye serves as ACDI/VOCA’s technical director for disaster risk reduction and response. She leads the design and development of technical strategies and tools in disaster risk reduction and provides technical direction and support to existing projects and new business opportunities. In addition, she leads ACDI/VOCA’s response to complex emergencies and natural disasters. Previously, Ms. Gaye served as program director for ACDI/VOCA’s OFDA-funded program working with earthquake-affected populations in southeast Haiti. Prior to joining ACDI/VOCA, she managed disaster response and complex emergency relief programs with field experience in Darfur, South Sudan, Sri Lanka and post-Katrina New Orleans. Ms. Gaye served in the Peace Corps for three years in Gabon, working to improve local public health services through education, counseling and peer groups. She earned a master’s degree in public health with a focus on complex emergencies from Tulane University and a bachelor’s degree in anthropology from the University of Central Florida.