Program Manager, Big Bang Philanthropy
Sylvia Hacaj combines her passions for coaching and connecting in service to the greater good as a strategic collaborator to organizations and individuals. She manages the collaboration of Big Bang Philanthropy, a group of like-minded funders working together to find and finance great organizations tackling the most pressing problems of the poor. She served as a thought partner and session leader for the 2016 Skoll World Forum. She is a member of the advisory board of Dream to Learn, an early stage social learning platform.
Prior to launching her consultancy, Sylvia served as Vice President of Programs for the Global Philanthropy Forum, overseeing its annual conferences from 2011-2014. She worked on policy, advocacy and fundraising for Save the Children US and as a senior vice-president at M&R Strategic Services, managing issue campaigns for a variety of clients including Oxfam America, World Wildlife Fund, and Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.
Sylvia began her career as legislative analyst for the US House of Representatives and is proud to have been part of the team that worked on legislation establishing the AmeriCorps national service program. She later served as Deputy Director of Government Relations and White House Liaison for the Corporation for National and Community Service.
Sylvia received her BA from The American University, Washington DC where she graduated magna cum laude from the School of International Service. She is also certified in strategic intervention coaching and will obtain a certificate in Applied Positive Psychology from San Francisco State University in May 2016.
