For Eileen Shields-West, the mission of CAI is more than a cause—it’s a calling. A longtime advocate for displaced communities, Eileen’s deep humanitarian experience and personal connection to CAI’s Executive Director, Alice Thomas, brought her to the organization five years ago. “Our first hire at Refugees International’s climate displacement program was Alice,” she recalls. “When I heard she was leading CAI, I wanted to follow her.”

No stranger to non-profit boards, Eileen is the chair emeritus of Refugees International, a nonprofit organization that advocates for refugees and the internally displaced. A journalist by trade, she has reported for CBS, CNN, and NPR, worked as a correspondent for TIME Magazine, and also served as San Francisco Bureau Chief for TIME.

Her decision to join CAI’s board was rooted in her lifelong belief in the power of women to change the world. “Educating girls and women—giving them the tools to delay marriage, to earn a livelihood, to develop self-worth—it changes everything,” she says. “I love that we’re returning to the phrase ‘she is key.’ Because she is. It all begins there.”

Eileen has watched CAI’s work expand in scope and depth, particularly in women’s economic empowerment programs. “The ripple effect is real,” she says. “When women gain income, they gain status. They become trusted in their communities. It lifts everyone.”

When discussing CAI’s community-based schools, Eileen points to children like Amina—a young girl in Afghanistan who once collected garbage to support her family and now attends school. “That one girl learning to read and write
—that changes the trajectory of her life. It starts small, but it echoes outward.”

Eileen is also deeply encouraged by the evolution of CAI’s accountability and monitoring. “We’re not just providing training; we’re tracking outcomes. We’re supporting women year after year as they advance and grow. It’s not one and done.”

Through her years on the board, Eileen has not only deepened her understanding of Central Asia, but has also grown through the insights of fellow board members. “Many have lived or worked in the countries we serve. They bring firsthand context—political challenges, cultural nuances—that deeply inform our decisions,” she says. She is also particularly proud that CAI has remained in Afghanistan in spite of all the difficulties, noting, “We have not given up on pursuing education even with new restrictions—I believe it matters to our supporters and it matters to us.”

When asked what giving means to her, Eileen immediately pointed to impact with this reflection: “Everyone wants to make a difference. And they can—with $30 or $3,000. Every gift matters. Ripple effects start small but they become societal effects.”