Staff

Deborah (Deb) Leaver is the VP of Programmes at EMpower. In her role, Deb leads the organisation’s programme strategy, grant making and partnerships with our many stakeholders across the six different regions where EMpower operates. She works to ensure we strengthen our impact and works with our many partners to best support their mission and the connections and learnings across EMpower's different regions and diverse teams.

With over 25 years of experience working with local NGOs, multilaterals and INGOs in Africa, the Middle East, India, Asia and the Pacific, Deb worked for many years in humanitarian response and conflict contexts. 

Deb has a Master's Degrees in International and Community Development. Her post-graduate certifications include International Human Rights Law and Public Health Policy from the London School of Economics, and Organisational Change Management from Harvard Business School. Originally from New Zealand, Deb has since lived in Australia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Lao PDR and is now based in Indonesia. 

Outside of work Deb loves to explore and scuba dive with her son and cheer her husband in his extreme cycling races while trying new recipes and reading in her spare time.