Biography
Elizabeth V. Kassinis has more than 30 years of experience in conflict resolution and international development with a particular interest in issues of migration.
She is currently Executive Manager of Caritas Cyprus, responsible for the strategy, operations and partnerships of a grassroots, humanitarian organisation that supports vulnerable populations, including migrants, asylum seekers and refugees. Her tenure with Caritas Cyprus coincided with the island becoming the largest recipient of asylum seekers per capita in the European Union. She has been appointed to serve as the Middle East and North Africa region’s representative on the Complaints Handling Commission of Caritas Internationalis.
From 2019-2022, she worked with the Nicosia-based Research Center on Interactive Media, Smart Systems and Emerging Technologies—Center for Excellence CYENS—where she provided strategic guidance to ensure that this EU-funded Teaming project engaged Turkish Cypriots effectively to fuel scientific, technological and economic growth across the divided island.
Previously she served in various positions within the United States Agency for International Development from 1998 to 2015, where she was responsible for over $100 million in programming. There she designed and implemented initiatives in a variety of areas including private sector development; environmental and cultural heritage management and intercultural integration, engaging the private and public sectors.
Before USAID, she worked as a humanitarian affairs officer with the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance.
She has a master’s degree from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and received her bachelor’s degree in government from Cornell University.
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