Pathfinder International Reviews

Cons

Professional growth opportunities are limited but still possible.

Cons

Funders are loosing trust on this org and revenue declining.

Cons

Executive Team lacks cohesiveness and some members need to be more visible and transparent with what they're working on. US staff is at risk of letting the negative vibes of some take their focus away from why we're all here -- for the mission and to change people's lives.

Cons

Thank goodness Glassdoor encourages public reviews of organizations so we can protect those who may consider employment. These reviews are NOT disgruntled employees or former employees airing their differences with the management. These are good, hard working, and caring people who have been abused, discriminated against, and consistently lied to by HR while the CEO and board support the actions. The questions that need to be answered are is this treatment of at-will employees illegal or just immoral and abusive actions by a few individuals determined to put their inflated egos before the good of the mission and the people they once served.

Cons

Separate/individualized projects cause confusion and miscommunication

Cons

What began as a well intentioned re-org was quickly co-opted by someone in leadership who proported to be acting in the best interests of others but who has since demonstrated she is solely out for her own gain. With the guise of open collaboration and respect for honest exchange of ideas, the leader of this re-org used staff's willingness to believe in her to gain information that she then used to identify those who voiced ideas that differed from her own, and then set out to have them removed. When the new CEO arrived and freely added her own agenda (also not in the best interest of the organization) to this stage, things became dark quickly. Within the departments in headquarters where most of the knowledge and insight into programming existed, nearly every person with long standing institutional health and rights knowledge has now been fired, layed off, or forced out. This is not only a horrible sadness for those who have long loved and lived for Pathfinder, it is a sadness for development. In the current international climate, strong, smart, and brave voices are needed to keep development moving in a direction that truly benefits women and communities. This CEO and the leader of the re-org in Human Resources have snuffed out that voice. It is up to the country reps to save Pathfinder now. The board is clearly not paying attention.

Cons

As soon as the the new President arrived things went down hill fast. We thought we could trust her but she proved that wrong. She does not care about people only money.

Cons

Let's start with dancing bears. The CEO asked country directors to "perform" song or dance for the board of directors - mind you, the country directors (host country nationals) are experienced public health professionals, doctors, midwives, PHDs etc. Sing and dance, really?? This is offensive, and in itself is reason for the CEO to step down. Inexcusable for the "leader" of an international development organization.

And then it gets worse. All the experienced, executive staff that drove Pathfinder's mission (and impact) are gone, or have been demoted. This in addition to dismissing 30 or so staff early in the game, thus creating an environment of fear and loathing. Now we all want to leave, and the job searches are well known. Pathfinder has lost it's footing.

Cons

It used to be one of the agencies that was courageous and pro-active in addressing sexual and reproductive rights within its programming and in its advocacy in Washington and internationally. It is now waffling on this. Over 30 seasoned people have been excessed in the past year with either no replacement, or replacing with very young, inexperienced staff who don't have the skills to support the field offices to develop strategy. They cost less and don't have strong opinions which the current leadership likes.

Cons

Colonial Overlays - is right! Refer to the Devex article. I am happy the CEO and one of the main culprits of this "behavior" recognizes that this organization is thriving on the backs of "others". If a leader identifies from the onset of joining an organization that "colonial" behaviors are prevalent, it would be appropriate to intervene and rectify "it" as #1 priority. Instead a request is sent to country leaders, high performing intellectuals and they are asked to "dance, sing or perform" before the board of directors. Choosing to fly the country directors to HQ and asked them to perform, instead of asking them to educate the board of directors on the challenges faced and impact for which Pathfinders all over the world work hard to achieve. I am incensed to work for an organization that would ask its top leaders ( Engineers, Doctors, etc) to fly to HQ and perform. That has "Colonial Overlays" and I believe it is an insult. When staff from HQ travel to Pathfinder offices all over the world, they have never been asked to perform - instead they find creative ways to collaborate and innovate. Cultural sensitivity is most definitely needed among the leaders at Pathfinder HQ, primarily among the executive team - which lacks real diversity.