ICRW Names Interim President
Sarah Degnan Kambou Takes Helm in Transition
Jeannie Bunton, 202.742.1316, [email protected]
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The board of directors of the International Center for Research on Women (ICRW) has named Sarah Degnan Kambou as interim president of the organization, effective April 12. The transition comes as Geeta Rao Gupta steps down April 9 after 20 years with the organization, 13 as its president. Degnan Kambou will carry out interim duties while the board continues its search for a new president.
Degnan Kambou has served as ICRW’s chief operating officer since 2008, and before that was vice president of the health and development group which comprised three research portfolios focusing on gender, HIV and AIDS, reproductive health and nutrition, and gender, violence and rights. Prior to joining ICRW, Degnan Kambou served with CARE in West and Southern Africa for more than a decade. She also worked for eight years at Boston University’s School of Public Health, managing the Center for International Health.
In addition to her new duties, Degnan Kambou will continue in her current capacity as ICRW’s chief operating officer where she oversees the organization’s research and programs, finance and administration and human resources departments as well as ICRW’s Asia Regional Office.
“We are pleased that Sarah will take on this leadership role,” said Jeanne Warner, chair of ICRW’s board. “Her deep knowledge of the institution combined with her expertise in gender and development are the right blend of qualities necessary to steer the organization during this interim period.”
“This is a remarkable time for ICRW as the world is paying more attention to the role that women and girls can play in advancing economies and societies and, increasingly, how to engage men and boys when it comes to the issue of gender equality,” Degnan Kambou said. “We are dedicated to this mission by building on our strong body of research to create the solutions for lasting change.”
ICRW’s mission is to empower women, advance gender equality and fight poverty in the developing world. To accomplish this, ICRW works with partners to conduct empirical research, build capacity and advocate for evidence-based, practical ways to change policies and programs.