RPCV Comoro Islands 1992–1994
Carla Brown served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Comoros Islands from 1992 to 1994.
A self-described explorer, Carla has long been driven by curiosity about people, cultures, and countries. That passion led her to leave a career on Wall Street and join the Peace Corps, where she taught English to high school students and aviation professionals, while also supporting maternal and child health initiatives in her community.
Carla holds a bachelor’s degree from Boston College and master’s degrees in International Affairs and in Public Health, with a concentration in management and strategic planning, from Columbia University. She is fluent in English and French.
An international development professional with more than 25 years of experience, Carla has lived and worked across sub-Saharan Africa. Her connection to the continent began with a formative trip to Kenya and deepened during a six-year stay in Benin, where she witnessed firsthand the enduring ties between Africa and the transatlantic slave trade. She has also worked in Malawi, Senegal, The Gambia, Mali, Burkina Faso, Togo, and Côte d’Ivoire.
Carla has held senior leadership roles including Senior Advisor and Country Representative at Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and Head of Programs at the Catholic Medical Mission Board. She has managed development and humanitarian portfolios with annual budgets of up to $20 million, overseen teams of up to 145 staff, and directed programs in education, public health, agriculture, microfinance, water and sanitation, justice, and humanitarian aid. She was instrumental in securing one of CRS’s first Global Fund grants, which helped expand and diversify its malaria prevention program. Carla has also partnered with leading philanthropic foundations including Helmsley, Hilton, and Raskob.
Carla believes deeply in the power of collaboration to transform lives — and she has also witnessed the human toll of injustice and indifference. National Peace Corps Association is honored to welcome her to lead the next chapter of the organization.
Fun Fact: During her Peace Corps service, Carla climbed to the summit of Karthala, an active volcano.
