Grants Associate

Anna Calonje serves as a Grants Associate for The Christensen Fund, working as a key liaison for our grantees and Program Officers in Melanesia,  Northern Mexico and the US Southwest.

Anna has a range of experience in the philanthropic and non-profit sectors, and has a particular interest in food issues and social justice. Previously, she worked as a Senior Coordinator at The Equal Rights Center in Washington, DC, investigating and reporting on illegal discrimination against immigrant populations in the U.S., and developing education and outreach projects to assist victims of discrimination.

Anna has completed a BA in Global Studies from the University of California at Santa Barbara, and an MA in International Peace and Conflict Resolution at American University in Washington, DC. Born and raised in Cali, Colombia, Anna speaks fluent Spanish and English and has volunteered as an English teacher and an arts & crafts instructor, and as a translator for Operation Smile. Anna cultivates agro-biodiversity in her garden, including nine varieties of tomato, six types of eggplant; swiss chard, lettuce, watermelon, pumpkin, tomatillos, chili peppers, summer squash and a large medley of herbs.