Kellie Del Signore

MPS '22, Global Development
  • Hometown: Alexandria, Virginia, USA
  • Colleges attended and degree earned: Virginia Tech: B.S. in Human Development; Minor in Sociology
What are the big challenges you want to tackle in the world?

Linking the intersections of sustainable agriculture, food systems, rural community development, extension education and gender in ways to combat food security and improve livelihoods globally.

What were you doing before the MPS program?

Before starting the MPS program I served with Peace Corps in Ethiopia as an Agriculture and Nutrition Development volunteer working on projects to improve food security at the household level. My counterparts and I planned and implemented interactive trainings in improved beekeeping and chicken management, leading to the start of a community wide beekeeping association and cooperative. I also was involved with local primary schools teaching English and co-facilitating gender empowerment and life skills programs for youth at Camp GLOW.

What does global development mean to you?

Global development entails the integration of sectors collaborating to reach vulnerable populations and provide accessible resources to improve the quality of life through outreach and inclusion. This is occurring by problem solving in coexistence with communities and through observations. Then taking on solutions in ways that will benefit the context and be applicable in that area in a culturally aware aspect, taking into account a "not one size fits all" mindset.

What has been the most memorable or impactful experience of your career so far?

There is not just one impactful experience that has been the most memorable, but through times spent sharing meals and coffee breaks. That is where unforgettable relationships have been made, stories shared and usually good amounts of laughter had!

Tell us a fun fact about you.

I was kicked in the thigh by a donkey, luckily no major injury occurred.

Connect with Kellie: 
  • kd353 [at] cornell.edu (kd353[at]cornell[dot]edu)