Celebrating Alexis Mead’s 15 Years of Dedication
After 15 years of devoted service to Mitrata, Alexis Mead, Director of Development & Operations, will be departing at the end of April. As Mitrata’s first paid employee, who began in July of 2010, Alexis has served as a cornerstone in the development and growth of Mitrata over the years. Her guidance and expertise in fundraising and development have truly transformed our organization.
Dr. Christine Schutz, Executive Director and Founder, said of Alexis’ time at Mitrata, “Alexis has made a lasting impact on Mitrata. Despite working part-time, she accomplished an incredible amount. She played a vital role in building our organizational infrastructure, establishing and nurturing connections with sponsors and donors, and supporting other employees in achieving their goals. Beyond her outstanding professional contributions, Alexis has been a beacon of generosity—offering her time, sharing her ideas, and exemplifying values of integrity and goodwill to everyone she encountered. Always going the extra mile, she offered her beautiful home for many memorable meetings and events, brought so many of her own friends and family to support Mitrata and devoted herself to all of our events.
Throughout our time together, Alexis and I shared countless cherished memories especially of our trips to Nepal. We led many groups, navigated the inevitable challenges and stresses that come with travel, and always managed to enjoy ourselves and accomplish remarkable goals during each visit. Alexis’s presence made these journeys unforgettable, and she will be deeply missed by her Nepali friends as well as the BSF staff, who have thoroughly enjoyed working closely alongside her over the years.
Over the years, we faced many challenges both in the United States and Nepal, including the Covid-19 pandemic and the Nepal earthquake. Throughout these crises, I always felt confident in Alexis’s ability to problem-solve, collaborate, and help us find effective solutions. Her perseverance and determination enabled us to overcome numerous obstacles and continue moving forward together.
“Alexis has been a tremendous source of information and assistance to so many people, inside and outside of Mitrata. Her willingness to tackle any problem, offer different perspectives on any issue, and be the backbone of the Operations team that has led to so many accomplishments has established a prominent and enduring legacy.”
It is with both sadness and joy that we share Alexis’s departure. All of us will miss her terribly, yet we are also happy that she will be pursuing new interests and adventures that she well deserves. Most importantly, I am grateful that Alexis will remain connected with us in the future, continuing to be a valued part of our community. I am also grateful that she has, in her usual way, done everything to make sure Mitrata will continue to prosper and function well into the future. Her departure has been planned for some time now and Mitrata’s new staff are well positioned to carry on the responsibilities of our operational team.”
“Working closely with Alexis for the past four years has been an absolute joy and a blessing. I have treasured the opportunity to learn from her knowledge and expertise. From hours-long meetings planning Mitrata events to spending time together in Nepal, and commiserating about our twin sinus infections over shared Kleenex packets while traveling home, I am thankful to say that she has not only been my boss but is now also a dear friend. Although the Operations Team will miss her greatly, we are celebrating with her as she enters this next season of her life and wishing her nothing but the best.”
Alexis says about her time at Mitrata, “I step away with a full heart and deep gratitude for a journey that has been both my greatest challenge and most meaningful adventure. From the earliest days, managing operations on just a couple of spreadsheets, to helping establish the systems, partnerships, and fundraising strategies that sustain Mitrata today, it has been a privilege to play a hands-on role in shaping our growth. I’m especially proud of the relationships built with child sponsors and donors, the strengthening of our operational foundation, and the collaborative spirit that has carried us through moments of both opportunity and uncertainty. I am deeply thankful to my team members (past and present), Christine, Connie, Morgan, Anna, Jackie, Mark, and Lindsey, board members, and our extraordinary partner, the Bhuvaneshwori Satyal Foundation, whose leadership and dedication continue to inspire me. As I look ahead to more time with my family and new opportunities for learning and growth, I do so with immense pride in what we’ve accomplished together and great confidence in Mitrata’s future. I remain, always, a committed member of this extraordinary community.”
