Meet Corey Oser! GFC’s Vice President of Programs shares how she got involved in activism from a young age and what motivated her to join GFC more than five years ago.

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT WHERE YOU’RE FROM AND ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND?

I grew up in small towns in New Jersey in the US, not far from the

ocean and the woods. I came to love both as well as the vibrant life of cities as New York was not too far away. I grew up with a strong sense of social justice and got involved in issues like girls’ rights and building bridges between people from different backgrounds from a relatively young age. Through a youth group I joined, I came to appreciate the power of spaces for young people with supportive adults, separate from home or school.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE CHILDHOOD MEMORY?

Playing explorer with my neighborhood best friend, Sam. We spent days inspecting plants and discovering fossils, arrowheads, and shards of pottery in a dry stream bed behind my house.

I didn’t realize until I was older that these were not random finds but remnants from the lives of the Lenape tribe, the original inhabitants of that land.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WITH GFC? WHAT DREW YOU TO THIS LINE OF WORK, AND WHY HAVE YOU STUCK AROUND?

I came to GFC a bit over five years ago having worked in organizations that implement programming directly around the world. I was affected by the frustration that former colleagues expressed at feeling stuck in systems where they felt they were implementing ideas designed far away from them. I was inspired by GFC’s vision to help organizations deepen the work they are already doing and not what someone was asking them to do.

GFC’s commitment to learning, reflecting, evolving, and contributing to larger transformations in the field has kept me energized and inspired.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST CHALLENGING PART OF YOUR JOB? WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST SATISFYING?

The most challenging parts are: seeing how repressive governments or systems create conditions where people must struggle to realize their most basic rights; witnessing enormous potential that doesn’t always get realized; and seeing how it is easy to take things for granted such as having books for each student at school, internet access, or reliable transportation.

I love the energy created when our partners come together; their brilliance and creativity; and the connections they build with each other and with us along their journey.

WHY DO YOU BELIEVE GFC’S WORK IS IMPORTANT?

We are contributing to human development so that all people can flourish and find joy and meaning in their lives. While it might sound simple, it has many facets. We are committed to understanding how this process starts with us and our own journeys and extends to the relationships we build with our peers and partners and how our partners interact with their communities.

#Fun Facts About Corey

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE TOY GROWING UP?

My favorite toy was a purple tricycle I got for my birthday. I was so excited to zoom around my neighborhood, and of course it was my favorite color – a love that has not abated to this day.

WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP?

I wanted to be an obstetrician and an actress. I was interested in health and human biology and loved creating new worlds on stage with a group of people. In middle school, I wrote a play that my class performed.

WHAT DO YOU DO FOR FUN?

I love reading, the arts, cooking with interesting ingredients and spices, cycling, traveling, getting out in nature, and dabbling in language study.

DO YOU HAVE ANY PETS?

 No, but my son has been campaigning for a dog for some time. Let’s see if he is successful before he finishes high school!

IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY SUPERPOWER, WHAT WOULD IT BE? 

I would speak an infinite number of languages fluently. I would love to dive into any context and immediately be able to communicate and connect with the people I meet.