From American Jewish World Service to Global Goods Partners, Catherine Lieber Shimony has dedicated her career to international development, helping women across the globe develop the skills they need to better support their families and lead their communities. Shimony earned her BA from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, in 1981 and immediately began working for the Berlitz School of Languages, quickly catapulting to director of one of its schools in Chicago. She then earned a master’s in international relations from Johns Hopkins University in 1984 and worked in senior positions for the Chicago Council on Foreign Relations and the Council of the Americas. Eager to return to international development, she served as director of international programs for AJWS from 1998 to 2005, after which she co-founded Global Goods Partners with Joan Shifrin. GGP helps women and girls who create fair trade goods, by offering technical assistance, product development, literacy, healthcare, and leadership training programs. As of 2024, GGP has formed working partnerships with over 60 artisan groups that span 22 countries, from Bolivia and Guatemala to India, helping women become better entrepreneurs and community leaders. Shimony still serves as its co-president. 

Catherine Lieber Shimony is a grantee of the Jewish Women’s Foundation of New York (JWFNY), and is featured as part of a partnership between JWA and JWFNY spotlighting Jewish women social entrepreneurs.