About Global Gain
Our Story & Theory of Change
Who We Are
Global Gain is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, nongovernmental charitable organization formed to build a global network of political professionals, democracy champions, and changemakers in public service, politics, peace, human rights, issue advocacy, the arts, and social entrepreneurship. We are professionals dedicated to seeing more women and BIPOC in leadership positions globally.
From International to At Home
Formed initially to engage in international programs focused on democratic and women's leadership, we now find ourselves as focused at home in the U.S. as in other places in the world. When our democracy is threatened, the whole world is threatened. Our reimagined mission is dedicated to recruiting and training a new generation of talent who want to make impacting democracy, elections, and advocacy a profession — and are looking for support to build their careers.
We continue to build meaningful connections across cultures, with a particular emphasis on lifting up women and young political, civic, and entrepreneurial leaders in the U.S. and globally in developing democracies.
Our Vision
Global Gain believes the solutions to the most significant problems in the world will be found when women achieve parity in leadership positions at every level of public and civic life. Inspired by the power of women's leadership, we are committed to the Global Goals for Sustainable Development — and we believe the 5th goal, Gender Equality, is the secret to achieving each of the others.
Theory of Change
When women receive support — through network building, coaching, and training — they gain the skills and confidence to engage in meaningful leadership roles in their communities. Those roles may include running for public office, advocacy, the arts, community development, and other social entrepreneurship. When more women serve in leadership roles in public life, there is less corruption, better governance, and overarching issues such as peace, education, and healthcare receive more attention and priority.
Where We Work
Our current programs focus on the U.S., Ukraine, and East Africa.
Amy Pritchard, Founder
Amy Pritchard has spent 30 years building the democracy pipeline — training candidates, developing leaders, and constructing the infrastructure that makes representative governance possible.
Starting in Massachusetts, Amy joined EMILY's List in 1994 and went on to work in more than 25 countries. In 2011, she arrived in Rwanda and never fully left. Over 14 years, she saw firsthand what happens when women lead — 64% of parliament, ministries transformed, a nation rebuilt.
Through NDI and independent consulting, Amy built Women GAIN Rwanda, launched the Intwari apprenticeship, and conceived CoKiyovu — the world's first destination dedicated to women's leadership. She founded the GAINiverse: GAIN Power, Global Gain, and GAIN Voters — three allied organizations activating the full democracy pipeline.
Team & Partners
Amy Pritchard
Founder, Global Gain
Washington DC / Kigali, Rwanda
Amy Pritchard has spent more than 30 years working at the intersection of democracy, women's leadership, and civic power. She began her career in Massachusetts working for the first woman in leadership in the state House. In 1994, she managed her first EMILY's List race — helping Lynn Rivers defeat a candidate backed by the entire Michigan Democratic Party establishment through the power of women's networks. She has since worked across 25 countries, training candidates, building organizations, advising campaigns, and developing the infrastructure that connects democracy work across borders. In 2011, Amy arrived in Rwanda as NDI's country director. Fourteen years later she is still there — transformed by what she found: a country that rebuilt itself through women's leadership and proved what is possible when representation is a commitment rather than an aspiration. Amy co-founded Global Gain in 2018 alongside Gain Power. She maintains a home in Rwanda and splits her time between Kigali and the United States.
Mary Balikungeri
Chair, Women GAIN Rwanda / Founder, Rwanda Women's Network
Kigali, Rwanda
Mary Balikungeri is the founder of the Rwanda Women's Network and Chair of Women GAIN Rwanda. For nearly 30 years, she has made it her mission to create spaces for healing, empowerment, and leadership for survivors of gender-based violence and women across Rwanda. When she returned to Rwanda after the genocide, Mary didn't just rebuild — she created something new: spaces where women could heal, learn financial and leadership skills, and rediscover their voice. Her work embodies the principle that networks create ladders of opportunity that transform individual lives and entire communities. 'When women are economically viable,' Mary says, 'they can deal with violence. They can feed themselves. They won't stay in harm's way.'
Mary Balikungeri
Chair, Women GAIN Rwanda
Kigali, Rwanda
Leader in Rwandan women's empowerment. Pioneer of community-based women's organizations and mentor to the Intwari apprenticeship cohorts.
Amy Pritchard
Founder & Executive Director
Washington, DC / Kigali, Rwanda
30 years building the democracy pipeline. EMILY's List 1994. 25+ countries. Rwanda since 2011. Creator of CoKiyovu and the GAINiverse.
The GAINiverse
Three allied, values-aligned, legally separate organizations working across the full democracy pipeline.
GAIN Power
LLC — Talent, Careers, Networks
Activates leadership through workforce development, professional networks, and career infrastructure for the democracy pipeline.
“GAIN Power activates leadership.”
Global Gain
501(c)(3) — Democracy Leadership
Develops women and BIPOC leaders and builds democracy infrastructure in the U.S. and internationally.
“Global GAIN activates power.”
Tax-deductible contributions welcome.
GAIN Voters
Super PAC — Electoral Power
Activates organizers and powers electoral campaigns for representative democracy across all 50 states.
“GAIN Voters activates organizers.”