by Kitty Taylor

We are deeply saddened at BCLC to hear about the recent and untimely death of Stephen Vance, an employee of the global-development organization CHF International.  He and his driver, another CHF employee, were shot to death in Pakistan’s FATA region, where Vance directed the organization’s USAID-funded job creation and workforce development project.

CHF International is an organization that partners extensively with U.S. Chamber member companies – on projects that are far-reaching and profoundly impactful – so I know the somber shock resulting from this tragedy resonates throughout the business community.

It’s an appropriate time to pay tribute to and thank the thousands of humanitarian workers operating all over the world -- often in very dangerous places -- for their service. CHF International, along with AIG, is one of the finalists we’ll honor next Tuesday at our Corporate Citizenship Awards Dinner. Together, CHF and AIG are being recognized in the Partnership Award category for their work in Pisco, Peru, to help the community recover and rebuild after the devastating earthquake in August 2007. I hope this recognition will go a long way in raising awareness of the meaningful, community-changing work being achieved by business-nonprofit partnerships across the world. These partnerships are truly laying the path for a better world.

To honor the service of Stephen Vance in particular, CFH International welcomes your words of tribute, which can be emailed for inclusion on the organization’s website.