For the past 10 years, through hands-on experience and applied research, Larisa has actively contributed to international social development efforts, focusing on educational opportunities. Specifically, she has worked as program/project manager, teacher trainer and researcher in developing contexts – both urban and rural – in countries across three continents. An expert in intercultural communication, linguistics, and teacher/practitioner education, Larisa has extensive experience in program development, monitoring and evaluation, creating concrete improvement plans, and grant writing for health education and business development. Through her work in health and education contexts in developing countries, Larisa has experienced first hand the need for, and success of, community-based social enterprise, which draws on local sociocultural practices to promote economic development and alleviate poverty.
