Mary DeCoster

Mary’s work has been deeply influenced and guided by the principles of Dialogue Education for over 20 years. She works for Food for the Hungry, an international relief, development and advocacy organization, as a specialist in behavior change and social norm change.  She received the 2019 Dory Storms Child Survival recognition award from CORE Group (as did Jane Vella, in 2012!), for her contributions to building capacity of field staff in multiple organizations to support the health and well-being of mothers and children. She has a Master’s degree in Public Health from the University of North Carolina, in the Department of Health Behavior.  She is an international board certified lactation consultant and has worked in Maternal and Child Health, Reproductive Health, HIV/AIDS, and more.  Mary is a recognized expert on the Care Groups approach and has provided technical support, training and coaching to staff from many organizations on the use of Care Groups to promote behavior change in vulnerable communities.  Mary is an expert facilitator and trainer and skilled workshop designer and curriculum writer. She is fluent in Spanish.  Mary values curiosity and critical thinking, and is always seeking to learn more about what motivates and sustains positive change, equity and justice.