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Synergos Names John Heller to Head Senior Fellows Program

New York, NY, July 18, 2001 -- The Synergos Institute announced today that John Heller has been named Associate Director, Foundation Services, effective August 1. In this position, Mr. Heller will manage Synergos' Senior Fellows Program. The Senior Fellows Program is a global network of leaders in the field of organized philanthropy which aims to build the knowledge and skills base of emerging and established foundations, associations of foundations and other support organizations in developing countries. By providing assistance in funding, training, communications, and coalition-building, these organizations help create sustainable local solutions to local problems.

Throughout the year, Fellows conduct workshops, consultancies and training with these organizations. In addition, the Senior Fellows meet periodically to share and analyze their experiences, including one annual meeting where they all gather. In 2000 they met in Manila and this year in Rio de Janeiro. Next year's meeting will take place in Windhoek, Namibia. There are currently 29 Senior Fellows from 15 countries. Last year, Senior Fellows provided training that directly benefited over 130 organizations.

The Senior Fellows Program is a component of Synergos' Global Philanthropy & Foundation Building Program, which provides a wide range of services to build and strengthen grant-making foundations and other philanthropic and social investment organizations around the world. David Winder, Director of Global Philanthropy & Foundation Building, remarks, "Through the Fellows Program we're leveraging best practices from around the world by sharing them with groups and projects that are bringing about lasting change. I'm delighted that John is going to be leading this important effort."

John Heller joined Synergos in October 2000 as Associate, Southeast Asia. In this position he worked with Synergos partner organizations in Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand to strengthen foundations and stimulate philanthropy in those three countries.

Prior to joining Synergos, Mr. Heller worked for three years with the Council on International Educational Exchange, where he organized a series of faculty enrichment seminars in twelve countries. He previously served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in rural Thailand, where he developed community health and income generation projects in cooperation with the Population and Community Development Association, a leading Thai NGO. Mr. Heller has completed numerous assignments as a cross-cultural trainer, preparing business executives for postings in Thailand. He has also worked as a consultant to the United Nations Development Programme, Women's World Banking, and the Open Society Institute. Four years as the Marketing Director of a commercial real estate firm complement Mr. Heller's non-profit experience. Mr. Heller, who speaks Thai and Spanish, holds a B.A. in sociology from Haverford College and an M.A. in international affairs from Columbia University. During his studies at Columbia, Mr. Heller led a student team on a project to assess the microfinance program of a grassroots NGO in Bihar, India.

For further information contact Myra Alperson, Associate Director, Communications, at (212) 447-8111.

Updated July 18, 2001