Name: Greta Grishanova
Title: Director of CEE Programs
Location: HQ
How long have you worked for Heifer? Five and a half years
What attracted you to work for Heifer? Growing up in Arkansas, I had known about Heifer for most of my life and had worked at the Ranch as a teenager and later as a summer staff during my college years. Years later what brought me back to Heifer was the opportunity to combine my educational background in agriculture and my experience in and passion for Central and Eastern Europe.
What has been the most memorable experience you have had while working for Heifer? One of my most memorable experiences was watching a donor who had just given a $10,000 donation drive away in her old, beat up, barely road-worthy car. For me it was a really powerful visual of the sacrificial generosity that I think characterizes most of our donors and a humbling reminder of the great responsibility we have to be the best stewards of what has been entrusted to us.
My education includes: I have a B.S. and M.S. in Agronomy from the University of Arkansas. I also have a certificate in teaching English as a Second Language.
My hobbies include: Basically anything outdoors: hiking, camping or barbecuing in the backyard.
My family consists of: My husband Grisha and two sons, Nikolai, 2, and Alexander, 5 months.
Something about me that you might not know: Most people probably don’t know that I was a member of the 1995 National Champion University of Arkansas Soil Judging Team.
What is the best thing about working at Heifer International? I think it is just the opportunity to use my gifts to make a difference in the lives of others.