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Marnie Gustavson
Ms. Marnie Gustavson is the founder and president of Creative Economic Opportunities, Inc. (CEO). In the US, she worked fifteen years as a trainer and program consultant for organizations with a focus on programs for women. In 2003, Marnie returned to Kabul, Afghanistan where she had lived as a child with her family for four years, to assume the executive directorship of PARSA, (Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Services for Afghanistan) from icon and founder, Mary MacMakin. In Afghanistan, she has also worked as a consultant and trainer for women leaders, Afghan women parliamentarians and NGO directors providing comprehensive organizational development, and a unique program of personal and professional support in this post conflict country. Working with her husband, Dr. Norm Gustavson, psychologist and medical anthropologist, and Dr. Patricia Omidian, anthropologist, she is co-creating psychosocial services adapted to the Afghan culture. With her training partner, Afghan American Mahbouba Seraj, she is designing “women’s listening groups” and developing a radio program that Mahbouba will host called “Our Beloved Afghanistan” focusing on programs that will support Afghan women as they attempt to improve the quality of their lives and to claim their human rights. Under her directorship, PARSA has begun two groundbreaking programs in close partnership with two government agencies. With the Afghan Red Crescent Society, PARSA is rehabilitating and modernizing the “marastoons” or “places to find help”-a cultural tradition of social protection for disabled, widows and orphans. With the Ministry of Social Affairs, PARSA is working to initiate change in the orphanage system so that the most vulnerable children in Afghanistan can have care in the post conflict country. In her work she creates new approaches to social problems using humanity’s creativity, resilience, and ability. Her international work focuses on developing leaders who have an appreciation for human interconnectedness, and an interest in developing sustainable systems that promote all people having access to equality and economic opportunities. Marnie is currently documenting her experience in Afghanistan on three web journals or blogs:
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