Marie A. Principe, IOM is the Director of Development at Techbridge Girls, where she builds strategic partnerships and mobilizes resources to expand access to STEM education for girls of color. She is passionate about creating pathways for underserved girls to access opportunities in education, leadership, and economic mobility, and believes that early investment has the power to drive long-term impact.
After 20 years of focusing on inclusive and democratic engagement internationally, Marie pivoted closer to home to advance opportunities for underserved communities in the U.S. Her career has centered on collaboration, cross-sector engagement, and designing programs that expand access and amplify underrepresented voices, with a particular emphasis on economic empowerment. She has led initiatives supporting local business associations, think tanks, and entrepreneurs from underserved communities in the Middle East and North Africa, gaining firsthand experience of diverse cultures through her work in Iraq and Tunisia and travels to more than 20 countries. She also worked with the Global Women’s Leadership Initiative at the Wilson Center, contributed to a U.S. Institute of Peace report on women in nonviolent movements, and partnered with former President of Malawi, Dr. Joyce Banda, on a policy toolkit to advance women’s leadership in Africa.
In addition to her role at Techbridge Girls, Marie is an adjunct instructor at Wake Tech Community College, where she teaches international relations and encourages students to explore how governments, economies, and social institutions shape communities and everyday life. She holds a Master’s in Law and Diplomacy from The Fletcher School at Tufts University and dual bachelor’s degrees in Political Science and English from Appalachian State University. Marie also holds a certificate from the Institute for Organization Management (IOM) at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, a professional development program designed for nonprofit managers. .
Marie is based in North Carolina with her fiance, two cats and a dog. In addition to her work, she delights in crafting, cooking, reading, and planning her next trip.