The WS Shuler Whitmore Foundation

The Fifth WSSW Leadership Institute                     President:

     Kari Coley has been living in Panama since 2001 - a journey that began with a petition she wrote during her junior year at the University of Pennsylvania, U.S.A. (UPenn), to undergo a semester abroad in her mother’s native country.  That semester had such an impact on her that, upon graduating, she decided to relocate to Panama.  Shortly after, Kari began teaching at Universidad Interamericana (Inter-American University) and Universidad Tecnológica de Panamá (Technological University of Panama), where she incorporated a social development curriculum into her advanced level English-as-a-Foreign-Language courses, with the experience she was gaining by simultaneously getting her foot in the door as an Intern at the United Nations.  Her five years of service with the U.N. saw quick promotions from Intern to Research Assistant to National Programme Officer across three different agencies (UNDP, UNAIDS, WFP).  During her time at UNDP, she established, coordinated, and later supervised the internship program for the UNDP’s Latin America and Caribbean Sub-Regional Resource Facility. 

    Formerly, during her college years, Kari was thoroughly immersed in a number of work study programs and student organizations on campus - both academic and artistic - all of which facilitated engaged interaction with peer students; namely as Mentor/Peer Counselor for the Department of Academic Support Programs, Co-Chair of an academic excellence committee, member of the African Rhythms drum and dance troupe, Varsity Fencing Captain, and Residential Dorms Operations Coordinator.