About

Who write this crazy blog? Jillian.

Ok, but who is Jillian? In short: An explorer, academic, and activist. International Development Professional. Economist. Gender Specialist. Microcredit Enthusiast.

A bit more info please? Here you go … This blog chronicles my time as an explorer, an academic and an activist in the process of what I hope is progress.  I am passionate about equal control of and access to resources, the establishment of legal entitlements, and breaking down privilege and destructive power relations.

In 2009 I studied, as a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar, for a Master’s degree in Gender Studies at the University of London.  My researched focused on the inclusion of gender empowerment components in international development programs in Africa.

While in London, I also worked with the Women’s Budget Group, a leading economic policy organization which promotes gender equality through responsible treasury policy.  As a Research Fellow with the London School of Economics’ The Student Initiative (formerly the Student Microfinance & Development Initiative), I chaired a research project that uncovered motivating factors for client dropout in a microcredit program in northern India.  In partnership with Mimo Finance, our team carried out research in Delhi, Saharanpur and Dehradun, India in September 2010.

I have a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from California Polytechnic State University.  I hope to utilize this background as I pursue a career in international development.  In February 2011 I began my work with Saodat, a human rights organization focused on protecting the political and economic rights of women and their families, in Tajikistan.

Stay tuned for the adventures.

My details? Email: jillian@jillianjfoster.com; Twitter; Facebook; LinkedIn.