ICRW Hires Kirsten Sherk as Director of Global Communications

The International Center for Research on Women (ICRW) has appointed Kirsten Sherk as the director of global communications. In this role, Sherk will lead all communications efforts for ICRW and highlight research findings to an ever-increasing range of stakeholders.

“Kirsten brings invaluable experience communicating complex issues facing women and girls globally,” said ICRW President Sarah Degnan Kambou. “Her extensive knowledge in the field and her commitment to advancing gender equality make her a tremendous asset to the team.”

Sherk is a seasoned communications professional with a background in strategic communications, media relations and program management. She most recently served as the senior advisor for media strategies at Ipas, an international reproductive health organization based in Chapel Hill, NC. Sherk’s work focused on developing media strategies to elevate public awareness of abortion as a crucial public health and human rights issue. She worked closely with staff in Ipas’ country offices to develop country-focused media strategies, to work with journalists to improve the quality of coverage of unsafe abortion as a health and human rights issue, and to make the work of healthcare experts accessible to a broader audience. While at Ipas she also co-produced the documentary short, Not Yet Rain with filmmaker Lisa Russell.  

Prior to joining Ipas, Kirsten was a senior communications specialist with the international advocacy initiative of Planned Parenthood^® Federation of America. At Planned Parenthood, she developed communications and media strategies to promote global reproductive health and rights, working with both the national office and as a consultant to Planned Parenthood affiliates around the country.

Earlier in her career, Sherk worked at the Communications Consortium Media Center (CCMC), the Population Reference Bureau and CEDPA, The Centre for Development and Population Activities. She holds a master’s degree in public health from the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University.