ICRW Launches Stella Mukasa Staff Award

On May 21st, ICRW inaugurated the Stella Mukasa Award for Staff Excellence, in honor of our friend and colleague, Africa Regional Director Stella Mukasa, who passed away in 2018. The award recognizes exemplary performance by ICRW staff who have made important and significant contributions that have furthered ICRW’s mission, substantially excelled in ICRW’s core values and reflects the attributes of our late colleague.

“Our dear Stella was fiercely determined, deeply insightful, warm and generous and, above all, passionate about her work,” said Sarah Degnan Kambou, president and CEO of ICRW. “I can think of no better way to honor her legacy than to recognize ICRW staff who share those same qualities.” 

The inaugural awards were presented to Chisina Kapungu, senior gender and youth specialist in ICRW’s Washington office and Monica Bhalla, senior administration manager in ICRW’s Asia Regional Office.

“I am so touched and honored to receive this recognition from my colleagues,” said Chisina, during an emotional presentation ceremony at ICRW’s Washington office. “Stella Mukasa has forever changed my life with her compassion, thought leadership, advocacy and dedicated mission to improve the lives of women and girls. What an honor to be in her light!”

Monica was likewise surprised and touched to be recognized. “I am so grateful to receive this award. Stella was such an inspiration to all of us. It is an honor to do the work we do every day.”

The Stella Mukasa Award will be given out every year to two staff members globally, one for a member of ICRW’s Research & Programs team and one for a member of the Operations team. Nominees are proposed by peers and supervisors; the final winners are chosen by an award review committee that includes staff volunteers from across ICRW’s three offices and members of the Board. Each awardee receives $1,000 towards professional development.