U.S. Country Director Phoebe Schreiner manages Breakthrough’s U.S. programs, processes, and people with an emphasis on consistent excellence and change where needed.  She came to Breakthrough after working for 15 years at the intersection of human rights, women’s empowerment, and accountable democratic governance in conflict and transition countries around the world – from Eastern Europe to the Middle East to South Asia.  Phoebe brings longtime experience in developing and leading impact-driven programs that use advocacy, arts, and community mobilization for peace, justice, and social change.  Prior to joining Breakthrough, Phoebe served with USAID, UN Women, the Civil Society Program of the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs, the Women’s Program of Open Society Foundations, among others.

Phoebe holds a Masters in Human Rights from Columbia University and a BA / dual degree in Government and Women’s Studies from Smith College.

She is the mother of a young son, a sci-fi junkie, and Buddhist. She loves to spend weekends at her historic farmhouse in the Catskill mountains of upstate New York.