Plan International USA Announces Appointment of First Youth Board Member
Plan International USA Announces Appointment of First Youth Board Member
WARWICK, R.I., November 20, 2013 – Plan International USA announced today the addition of Marisa Haire to its Board of Directors. Ms. Haire, 22, is Plan’s first-ever Youth Trustee.
“Children are at the heart of all of Plan’s community-centered programs. Having a young voice at the table ensures that youth around the world are heard and incorporated into development ideas and actions,” said Tessie San Martin, President & CEO of Plan International USA. “Marisa will be a key player in helping to cultivate the next generation of leaders. I’m thrilled to welcome her to our Board of Directors.”
In 2003, Plan adopted child-centered community development (CCCD) as its program approach. At the core of CCCD is youth participation -- young people take part in the decisions and programs that affect their lives. Plan creates opportunities in developing countries around the world for youth to speak and to be heard by their families, educators, neighbors, and local governments.
Marisa’sinvolvement with Plan began nine years ago when she helped launch Youth United for Global Action and Awareness (YUGA). YUGA is a nationwide network of ambitious young people who take action on global issues. Through campaigns and advocacy activities, YUGA members educate their classmates and communities about global challenges and engage them in finding solutions. Marisa served on the Steering Committee and helped start a chapter in her high school.
“My experiences with Plan International USA have not only allowed me to work and interact with people from all over the world, but I’ve also become very familiar with Plan’s organizational structure and operations,” said Marisa. “I feel very strongly about Plan’s work and vision, and I am honored to continue my involvement with Plan on the Board of Directors.”
She is currently in her final year as a chemical engineering student at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago.
To learn more about Plan’s Board of Directors, please visit
About Plan International USA
Plan International USA is part of the Plan International Federation, a global organization that works side by side with communities in 50 developing countries to end the cycle of poverty for children and their families. Plan works at the community level to develop customized solutions and ensure long-term sustainability. Our solutions are designed up-front to be owned by communities for generations to come and range from clean water and health care programs to education projects and child protection initiatives. For more information, please visit