Our “Employee Spotlight” series profiles employees at the END Fund. The series is part of an initiative to provide transparency and share the important work that our employees are doing to end neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Stay tuned as we roll out new spotlights. Click to learn more about the series.
When imagining the work that goes into ending neglected tropical diseases, you might think of a doctor, or a researcher traveling to remote locations. But our work is only possible because of a diverse group of supporting colleagues who keep the mission moving forward.
Meet Eli Kaufman, Salesforce Administrator at the END Fund, and a true solutions architect.
With a background primarily in operations and technology, Eli has worked with various tech companies before specializing in Salesforce and database management. Yet his role at the END Fund involves much more than just technical support.
“Being a Salesforce administrator is much more than [managing databases]. I work with many stakeholders from across different departments to design and implement solutions,” says Eli as he attempts to boil his job description into one sentence.
“I maintain and customize the system based on best practices.”
Transitioning to a non-profit was a significant shift for Eli, who started at the END Fund in 2023. He had to learn about public health and the END Fund’s operations on the fly, but has become integral cog in the END Fund machine.
Despite the learning curve, Eli’s tech expertise has been instrumental in optimizing our existing systems and introducing impactful changes. His work with our programming to streamline data management processes and his involvement in scoping new database projects highlights his commitment to improving our technological infrastructure.
“I’m creating automations and integrations with other systems we use,” says Eli. “I’m monitoring and improving user adoption… By the end of the day, it’s all about how we can make it a bit easier and less frustrating for users to do whatever they need to do with the system.”
Eli’s journey was inspired by his interest in Effective Altruism, a philosophy that emphasizes using evidence and reason to find the most effective ways to benefit others. This motivation led him to seek a role where he could use his skills for tangible, positive impact.
“A couple of years ago, I came across Effective Altruism, and I found it fascinating. As I was learning more about it, I realized that actually there is so much that we all can do, and I can do using our collective skills and our expertise to help make the world a bit better,” posits Eli.
“It inspired me to find a place where I can use my expertise to do something impactful because I was working with all kinds of organizations where this was not necessarily the case. At the END Fund, I really feel that the work that we do contributes to helping people have healthier and better lives.”
Eli enjoying life at the END Fund team retreat in Diani, Kenya 2024. From left to right: Kelly Zongo, Ellie Leaning, Markos Sleshi, Eli Kaufman, Moses Aderogba, and Irene Chami.
Eli is not just a tech expert; he is a linguist, a traveler, and a dog lover. He speaks multiple languages, including Hebrew, Russian, English, Dutch, and Yiddish, and has lived in Russia, Israel, the UK, and the Netherlands. Such a rich background has helped Eli integrate into the END Fund team, a multi-cultural and global organization.
And the infectiousness of the team’s desire to do good has clearly rubbed off on him.
“Seeing how passionate and motivated and driven people [at the END Fund] are was really an infectious thing. It’s really part of the culture that I have not seen in previous workplaces. It’s definitely a motivating factor and something that makes me feel good every day when I do my work and when I collaborate with my colleagues.”
Read more Employee Spotlights, and visit our website for more information on NTDs.