M. Charito Kruvant is the Founder and Board Chair of Creative Associates International. Under Charito’s nearly five decades of leadership, Creative has become a leading implementer for international agencies, including the U.S. Agency for International Development, the U.S. State Department, European governments and the World Bank.
Charito’s vision has led to providing children, youth and adults with accelerated learning and non-formal education; supporting communities and ministries with school reform and development; teacher training, capacity building, school health and nutrition, and enabling equity and access to education in conflict and post-conflict environments. Creative also supports communities transitioning from conflict through participatory programs that help instill democratic values and processes and enable communities to direct their own development.
Charito was inducted into the Greater Washington Government Contractor Awards Hall of Fame by the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce and the Professional Services Council on Nov. 5, 2020. The awards honor the exceptional work of the leaders and businesses in the region’s government contracting sector, with the Hall of Fame as the top honor.
The United Nations Association of the National Capital Area awarded its 2012 Perdita Huston Human Rights Award to Charito for her exemplary role in educational and technical development, especially with women and girls, and for leading a life of public service.
Charito has served on numerous Boards, including: The Donors of Color Network, a philanthropic and political outlet for high-net worth donors committed to building power for people of color; the Acacia Federal Savings Bank; the Calvert Funds for socially responsible investing; the Summit Fund of Washington; and on the executive and grants committees of the Venture Philanthropy Partners, an organization that invests in change-makers to find holistic solutions for the 580,000 vulnerable children and youth in Greater Washington, D.C.
Charito is also a member of the Economic Club of Washington, D.C. and the Executive Committee of the Federal City Council. She is a former chair of the Advisory Council of the U.S. Small Business Administration Washington, D.C. office. She is also a former chair of the Board of Trustees of The Community Foundation for the National Capital Region.