by James Ong, Director, REI Singapore “Circumstances reveal the character of a person.” These past three years, I’ve come to experience how situations and circumstances help bring out potential and new dynamics in the relationships we have with people. Unexpected Invitations Three years ago, I received the invitation from REI President & CEO, Doug Erdmann, to help set up the REI Singapore office. I had crossed paths with Doug some 13 years prior but had not worked closely wit

by K. Douglas Erdmann, President & CEO Back before Spotify and other music streaming services were available, if one wanted to listen to music in their car, one did it the old-fashioned way. . . turning on the radio. Of course, it would be important to pick the right radio station as different stations had different types of music. In my opinion, where we lived then in Maine, the best music was found at “Oldies 100.9.” My children would look at me aghast as I drove and sang a

Steve Estes, Principal Technical Program Manager, Mastercard    When was your first short-term trip with REI? October 6-15, 2024 What motivated you to do this with REI? My wife and I were familiar with REI as donors and through our relationship with Brian and Ginny Teel (former REI Director of Advancement). During one of their visits to St. Louis, Brian and Ginny told us that I might be a fit for a new project with universities in Central Asia. I was intrigued by the possibil

by Dr. Walter Lee, MD MHS, Department of Head and Neck Surgery & Communication Sciences Duke University Medical Center The Exchange Fellowship Program represents a cornerstone of REI's mission to build people who build nations. This fall, I had the privilege of hosting two exceptional physicians from Vietnam: Dr. Quynh Anh Nguyen from the Department of Otolaryngology at Bach Mai Hospital in Hanoi, and Dr. Huu Ngoc Minh Phan from the Department of Otolaryngology at Hue Univers

by Andy Petersen, Director of Advancement, REI HQ   “Why should I give to your organization?” This is a common question people ask me, particularly around this time of year, when they are being inundated with multiple requests for donations. I have worked in many nonprofit organizations. If I have learned anything, a donor’s motivation for giving is deeply personal.  For some, it can be merely “philanthropy.” An altruistic mindset to increase the well-being of humankind, as b

When ancient meets modern The first 1,000 days Working with women in preparation for childbirth has given me ample opportunity to learn...

by Brian Teel, former REI Vietnam Country Leader REI was created to bring a real exchange of ideas and understanding – to bring professional training, focused on equipping nationals to train others as they work together to build their communities and countries – while we receive deepened cultural understanding and refinement to why we do what we do the way we do it. This is just a glimpse into how REI got started building one of its most effective programs in helping to bring

by Maryellen Morgan, Director of Recruiting, HQ   What do a 20-year-old college student, a 37-year-old engineer and a 53-year-old college...

By Wendy Moore, Director of Communications, HQ   Showing up on time for wedding receptions in Kazakhstan is a very big mistake: One that...

by K. Douglas Erdmann, President & CEO Two weeks. 22,467 miles. Last month Joyce and I circled the globe, jetting to Cairo, Djibouti,...

by Hannah Bernstein, Recruiter and Director of Staff Fundraising Each year REI sends student intern teams to support the ongoing work of...

by K. Douglas Erdmann, President & CEO   Once every two years? Due to the logistics and expense involved with gathering staff from around...

by David A. Staff, REI Director of Field Staff Care The current decade (2021-2030) has produced a post-COVID-19 world. Quarantines have...

by Paul Yankey, Chief Advancement Officer, REI HQ   As we look back on recent months, I’m struck by the steadfastness of our supporters...

by K. Douglas Erdmann, President/CEO, REI HQ   He seemed tired. Almost sluggish. James Ong, our new REI Singapore Director, and I were...

By Wendy Moore, Director of Communications, REI HQ   “The miracle is not that we do this work, but that we are happy to do it.” REI staff...

By K. Douglas Erdmann, President & CEO, REI HQ James Rosebush, former deputy assistant to President Ronald Reagan, writes in the Harvard...

by Maryellen Morgan, Director of Recruiting, REI HQ Our recruiting team is growing! There was a big push to finance this role in REI’s...

By Paul Yankey, Chief Advancement Officer, REI HQ Excitement is brewing for REI Advancement, as we witness the seeds of innovation...

By Ginny Teel, Interim Director of Staff Care, HQ When our family lived in the Philippines, my heart was captured by cross-cultural...