About us

Together, we won’t stop until we are all equal.

We work together with children, especially girls, and our supporters and partners to strive for a just world where we are all equal. To do that, we tackle the root causes of challenges and inequalities that children face. We’re there from birth until adulthood, supporting children to prepare for and respond to crises and adversity, while particularly focusing on the experiences of girls.

How did we get here?

Plan International was founded in 1937 when a journalist and a refugee worker came together to help suffering children during the Spanish Civil War. With the help of our supporters and partners, we have grown into one of the oldest, widest-reaching and most effective girls’ rights organizations in the world.

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Girls from Plan's past

Plan International USA Impact Areas: Youth empowerment

Youth empowerment

We enable children and young people to understand and defend their rights.

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Plan International USA Impact Areas: Inclusive, quality education

Inclusive, quality education

We promote free, equal access to quality education for all children.

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Plan International USA Impact Areas: Early childhood development

Early childhood development

We help vulnerable and excluded children, particularly girls, grow up equally valued and cared for, free from discrimination.

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Plan International USA Impact Areas: Skills and Work

Skills and work

We increase young people’s access to financial services, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship and employment skills training.

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Plan International USA Impact Areas: Emergencies

Emergencies

We build communities’ resilience and support children’s rights to dignity and protection before, during and after disasters and conflicts.

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Plan International USA Impact Areas: Protection

Protection from violence

We work with communities, families, schools and governments to protect children from harm.

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Plan International USA Impact Areas: Sexual and reproductive health and rights

Sexual and reproductive health and rights

We increase access to quality sexual health services and eliminate harmful practices such as female genital mutilation and early child marriage.

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Plan International USA executive team

Shanna Marzilli

Shanna Marzilli

President & CEO

Dave Cannata

Dave Cannata

Chief Financial Officer

Paul Chobanian

Paul Chobanian

Vice President, Finance

Kate Ezzes

Kate Ezzes

Vice President, Program Development

Frank Manfredi

Frank Manfredi

Vice President, Humanitarian Programs

Jim Peters

Jim Peters

VP & General Counsel

Jennifer Trainor

Jennifer Trainor

Chief Strategy Officer

Katherine Williford

Katherine Williford

Chief Development Officer

Former Plan USA CEO Tessie San Martin in the field

Board of directors

Plan International USA is governed by a board of directors led by a chairperson, vice chairperson, secretary and treasurer. The board of directors oversees the Executive Team responsible for running day-to-day business operations, including international programming, marketing, finance and human resources.

Meet the board
Youth Advisory Board Members

Youth Advisory Board

Plan International USA’s Youth Advisory Board is a body of youth aged 14-22 from all corners of the U.S. who serve as ambassadors to Plan. We are passionate about international development, youth empowerment, gender equality and cross-cultural engagement. We advise on policies, practices and programs that impact youth, ensuring their inclusion and centrality in Plan’s work. By collaborating with Plan’s leadership and staff, we are committed to advancing diverse youth perspectives and we won’t stop until we are all equal.

Meet the YAB

Careers

Our employees at Plan are a driving force behind helping millions of girls across the world realize and exercise their rights. That’s why we make sure every person on our staff is uniquely well-equipped to do their best work for the children, families and communities with whom we work. When you join our team, our movement for gender equality becomes so much stronger.

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Financial information

We believe that because our donors and sponsors are our partners, the use of their contributions should be administered with openness and transparency.

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Press

Read the latest news and information about Plan’s partnerships, events and programs that are helping to change lives.

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Reports

Explore research, studies and surveys conducted by Plan International and our partners, and learn about solutions for girls’ and children’s rights.

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Impact circles

Plan’s Impact Circles are highly engaged groups of donors who come together to partner with adolescent girls, Plan volunteers and staff to create transformational change through their support of and connection with Plan programs. Through Impact Circles, Plan is building communities of change with philanthropists who are ready to invest their time, talent and treasure to achieve gender equality for girls around the world.

Learn more about Impact Circles