While FHI 360 presents itself as a mission-driven organization committed to equity and global development, for years, experience revealed a deeply troubling internal culture that contradicts the values it outwardly espouses. Despite marketing efforts to position the organization as inclusive and values-aligned, the reality within is marked by toxic workplace dynamics, discriminatory practices, and unethical leadership behavior—particularly at the senior levels.
The environment is particularly harmful for women and people of color, many of whom have been sidelined, undermined, or targeted without accountability. Concerns raised about racism, harassment, and retaliation are routinely ignored or dismissed. Leadership, particularly at the COO and CSO levels, has cultivated a culture of fear, insecurity, and sabotage. Instead of fostering growth and collaboration, they compete with staff, take credit for others’ work without attribution, and reward allegiance over competence or integrity.
Despite well-meaning intentions from the CEO, her continued reliance on senior leaders who actively harm employees without consequence speaks to a serious failure in accountability and ethical oversight. DEI is deprioritized internally, even while being touted externally. The organization also undertook downsizing efforts in a phased manner—well before the current donor funding landscape shifted. These reductions in force were poorly managed, lacking transparency, fairness, and strategy. Many capable and committed employees were let go without clear rationale, imbalanced packages, while underperforming or harmful individuals in positions of power remained protected.
FHI 360 may lead impactful programs and issue bold mission statements, but its treatment of staff—particularly the most marginalized—revealed a deeply broken internal culture. True impact cannot be realized without first taking accountability for your actions, and cultivating a healthy, safe, and equitable workplace. Until serious structural and leadership changes are made, this cannot be recommended as a supportive or ethical place to work.
