Connie K. Duckworth
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Connie Duckworth founded ARZU, Inc. in 2004 and serves pro bono as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. She is a retired Partner and Managing Director of Goldman, Sachs, & Co., where she was named the first woman sales and trading partner in the firm’s history during her 20 year career. Ms. Duckworth is a Trustee of Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company and a Director of Russell Investment Group and of Steelcase, Inc. She serves on the Board of Overseers of the Wharton School in Philadelphia. Ms. Duckworth also serves on the Boards of Directors of the Interfaith Youth Core in Chicago and of NorthShore University HealthSystem, in Evanston, Illinois, where she was the first woman to be Chairman of the Board. She is a past Chair of the Committee of 200, the organization of leading women entrepreneurs and corporate business executives in the U.S. and is the author of The Old Girls Network: Insider Advice for Women Building Businesses in a Man’s World (Basic Books 2003), a primer on entrepreneurship.
The recipient of numerous awards for leadership, advocacy, social impact, innovation and global presence, Ms. Duckworth was awarded the 2011 Wharton School Dean's Medal, the school's highest honor. In addition, Ms. Duckworth was named a 2008 Skoll Foundation honoree for Social Entrepreneurship. She holds an M.B.A. from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a B.A. from the University of Texas.
Cindy Berryman
Chief Financial Officer
Cindy Berryman joined ARZU, Inc. in June of 2010. She has served in a CFO/Controller role for several Fortune 500 companies including Miles/Bayer AG, McDonald’s Corporation, and Kim and Scott’s Gourmet Pretzels. She has extensive experience in strategic planning, process improvements, reengineering, and systems implementation and has supported the due diligence and valuation process as well as mergers, acquisitions and equity raises. In addition, she has previously consulted with companies such as Allstate, Nicor Home Services, Insurance Auto Auctions, Northwestern University, Asianic Foods, Gourmet Kitchens, Tradaq Barter and ITW to name a few. Her breadth of experience spans manufacturing, consumer products, distribution, food and construction and has been international in scope. Cindy earned her Masters of Business Administration from DePaul University and Bachelors of Science in Finance from University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana. In addition, she also was an attendee of the Executive Program at Notre Dame. Cindy is a member of the Financial Executive Network Group and regularly contributes time to a variety of charitable causes and peace initiatives.
Suzana Rizzo
Vice President of Retail Sales and Operations
Suzana Rizzo joined ARZU, Inc. in 2005, with extensive experience in entrepreneurship and operations at a successful small business venture she founded and operated in the Chicago area. She previously worked in volunteer relations at Ravinia Festival, in Highland Park, Illinois, where she was responsible for organizing fundraisers and benefit events. In addition, Suzana has served as a volunteer at Children’s Memorial Hospital, Misrecordia and Camp Heartland. She holds a M.B.A. from DePaul University in Chicago and a B.S. from Loyola University, Chicago.
Angela Attento
Vice President, Creative & Technical Director
Angela Attento is responsible for all new product design and development. Prior to joining ARZU, Inc. in 2008, Angela was the Art Director at Odegard, developing new designs, advising on finishing and quality control, and directing all graphic design and print production of materials. She was also actively involved in assisting RugMark in its goal of ending illegal child labor. Previously, she worked for a number of years in advertising at Crispin Porter and Bogusky, starting off as an intern in the collateral division, then as a full-time Production Assistant and finally as the Assistant to the Chairman. Angela attended Savannah College of Art and Design, where she studied Fibers and Sculpture.
Melissa Bertenthal
Director of International Programs
Melissa Bertenthal joined ARZU, Inc. in 2007 and oversees all Afghan programs, including all social benefits for the women weavers and their families, as well as developing community projects. Melissa earned her B.A. in Latin American Studies at Brown University with a focus on international development and democracy. After graduating, Melissa moved to Chicago to pursue a career in public relations with Edelman Public Relations. She utilizes her background in international development, marketing, and public relations to assist in the development and advancement of ARZU, Inc.'s mission, sales, and program goals. As both a student and career woman, Melissa has been very committed to volunteering for non-profits.
Tricia Glass
Director of Project Development
As a Director of Project Development at ARZU, Inc., Tricia Glass works with the ARZU, Inc. team in Afghanistan to design facilities and programs that support rug weavers and their families. As a founding member of the Boston-based nonprofit Beyond the 11th, aiding the people of Afghanistan became a priority and has led to her working on projects for other not-for-profits that operating there. Closer to home, Tricia worked in development at The Steppingstone Foundation. She has served on the boards at her daughters’ schools and supports organizations that offer education opportunities to children in underserved neighborhoods. Tricia has a BA from Colby College and an M.S.J. from Northwestern University.
Amy Letteney
Director of Project Development
Serving as a Director of Project Development at ARZU, Inc., Amy Letteney continues a long-term commitment to aiding the people of Afghanistan by managing projects that bring hope to rug-weaving families and their communities. As a founding board member of Boston-based Beyond the 11th, she drew on her background in corporate branding and marketing to shape a successful Afghan aid organization in the United States, including logo and web site design. Amy has also assisted a number of smaller non-governmental organizations with their day-to-day operations. Locally, Amy is active in planning and implementing a children’s event that supports the Pan-Mass Challenge, a bike-a-thon that has contributed over $239 million to support cancer research. Amy has B.A. from Franklin & Marshall College.
Devon McAnany
Director of Marketing and Public Relations
Devon McAnany began working at ARZU, Inc. in 2007, as an intern during her undergraduate studies at Loyola University Chicago, where she earned her B.A. in Advertising/PR with a minor in Women's Studies. While attending Loyola, Devon assisted in the planning and implementation of two consecutive annual events for World AIDS Day, as well as other various events for charitable and non-profit organizations. She continues to participate in local Chicago events and fundraisers concerning breast cancer research and other organizations benefiting women.
Gina Watters
Director of Sales
Gina Watters joined ARZU, Inc. in 2008. After graduating from Michigan State University with a B.A. in Communications and Public Relations, she relocated to Chicago to work in advertising sales at Forbes Magazine. Gina volunteers regularly with Chicago Cares and is particularly focused on issues facing women and children.
Emily Collins
Sales Coordinator
After leaving the world of Advertising Sales with O, The Oprah Magazine, Emily joined ARZU in September 2011. Passionate about economic equality and women’s rights, Emily was drawn to the mission of ARZU and excited to begin a new chapter professionally. Emily has worked in media relations for United International Pictures London and in refugee resettlement at World Relief Chicago. She is a former Second City student and Annoyance Theater performer, as well as avid photographer. Having graduated from DePaul University in 2004, Emily holds a BA in Political Science and Communications.
Beckie Otto
PR Coordinator / Social Media Strategist
Before joining ARZU, Inc. in February 2011, Beckie Otto interned with ARZU in summer 2009 and graduated with a B.A. in Communication Studies and minor in Human Development & Psychological Services from Northwestern University in 2010. While at Northwestern, Beckie worked as a Research & Teaching Assistant for a professor in the Communications Studies department and completed research in the areas of Relational and Health Communication. During her time at NU, Beckie was on the Dance Marathon Public & Community Relations Committee and participated in numerous volunteer groups, including Women's Ministry. Beckie is grateful to be able to combine her interests in communications, social media and marketing with her passion for social and women empowerment causes at ARZU.
Colleen Claes
Administrative Assistant / Social Media Manager
Before joining ARZU, Inc. in February 2010, Colleen Claes graduated from DePaul University in 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts in Digital Cinema. She has a background in filmmaking, writing, and digital and online media. Throughout college she gained diverse experience in administrative support – including a position as a Programming Intern for the Chicago International Film Festival, as well as assistant positions in marketing and higher education. Colleen is an active supporter of national and local human rights organizations, with a strong interest in women’s rights advocacy.
Carli Papp
Graphic Designer
Carli Papp joined ARZU, Inc. as a Graphic Design Intern in February 2009 while pursuing her B.A. in Advertising Art Direction at Columbia College Chicago. Shortly after graduation, she became full-time in the fall of 2010. Prior to joining ARZU, she has been actively involved with mission trips in both Colon, Panama and Appalachia. She feels grateful to have found a home at ARZU where she can continue to support sustainable communities while practicing her passion for design.
Hamid Hekmat
Country Director, Afghanistan
Hamid Hekmat joined ARZU, Inc. in August 2004, as the organization’s second employee, and held the position of Administrative and Financial Officer in the Kabul office. He was rapidly promoted to his current position of Country Director and is responsible for overseeing all ARZU, Inc. operations and staff in Afghanistan. Hamid earned his B.A. in Law and Political Science from Kabul University, where he holds several academic awards. Prior to working for ARZU, Inc., Hamid served as an administrator at the Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance.
Razia Jan
Program Director, Afghanistan
Razia Jan joined ARZU, Inc. in 2008 and oversees all education, healthcare and social benefit programs in Afghanistan. For many years, Razia has worked to forge connections between people in the United States and Afghanistan. She began by rallying her community to send over 400 homemade blankets to rescue workers at Ground Zero.
Her efforts expanded to include sending care packages to our troops in Afghanistan and, through her involvement in the military's Operation Shoefly, she has coordinated the delivery of over 30,000 pairs of shoes to needy Afghan children. In 2005, with the help of the Duxbury Rotary Club, Razia began raising funds to build a school for girls outside of Kabul. Thanks to many generous donations, the Zabuli Education Center for Women and Girls opened it doors to 200 girls in March 2008. Born in Afghanistan, Razia moved to the United States in 1970. A member of the Interfaith Council, No Place for Hate, and on the Board of Directors at Jordan Hospital, Razia received many awards for her humanitarian work, including the 2007 Woman of Excellence award from Germaine Lawrence Inc.
Our Staff in Afghanistan
ARZU, Inc. currently employs a staff of 52 in Afghanistan which monitors both social benefits programs and rug production. This all-Afghan team of dedicated individuals works closely with weavers and their families to maintain a safe, healthy and productive environment.
Our all-local staff makes trusted communication and dialogue possible. Since Afghanistan is a gender-segregated society, with differing cultural and tribal customs depending on region and ethnic group, we select a Regional Director and teams of monitors (both men and women) from the two provinces in which we work: Bamyan and Faryab. There are three monitoring functions: rug production, health and education. Our namayendas (rug monitors) provide quality feedback and oversight on the weaving process by visiting our weavers in their homes. ARZU, Inc. provides weavers with top quality materials at no charge, including graphs and natural vegetable-dyed wool. Monitors deliver these materials at the outset and inspect each rug at least three times during production to identify and rectify any problems with the weaving quality and to help weavers continually improve their skills.
Our health and education monitors visit our weaver families weekly to ensure the children of the household are attending school regularly and that the family is receiving treatment for any illness or injury. ARZU, Inc. monitors also provide oversight to ensure that child labor is not employed on ARZU, Inc. rugs and to track and witness all payments to weavers for their work.
ARZU STUDIO HOPE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Connie K. Duckworth
Chairman of the Board
Annette R. Carroll
Corporate Secretary and Board Member
Annette Carroll was a Principal/Partner with Hewitt Associates, a leading Human Resources consulting and outsourcing firm. She has over 20 years of experience in the field of Human Resources, both in the US and internationally. In her immediate past role, she was Hewitt’s Global Solutions Architect Leader and was directly responsibile for crafting outsourcing deals for Fortune 500 companies. Prior to that, she had a successful 8 year assignment with Hewitt in Europe where she was a Lead Managing Consultant, working with some of the largest companies in Europe.
In addition to her service to ARZU, Inc., Ms. Carroll is a Board Member of several other charities including the Lyric Opera of Chicago Guild Board of Directors, The University of Chicago Cancer Research Foundation and The Allendale Shelter Club. She holds an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago and a B.A. in Business from Kent State University.
Christina K. Corsiglia, ESQ.
General Counsel and Board Member
Christina Corsiglia is a Capital Partner with the law firm of Winston & Strawn LLP in Chicago. Her legal practice has involved both transactions and federal tax controversies, with a special emphasis on cross-border or transnational businesses and business transactions. Ms. Corsiglia is a graduate of Grinnell College and holds J.D. and M.B.A. degrees from Vanderbilt University. Ms. Corsiglia also currently serves on the Board of Directors and as Vice-President of AboutFace USA, another tax-exempt organization.