International Center for Research on Women Announces Organizational Transformation and New Executive Director, Americas

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Washington, D.C. – Today, the International Center for Research on Women (ICRW) announced a bold organizational transformation, redefining how it will operate to effectively advance gender equity, inclusion, and shared prosperity globally.

Moving away from the traditional top-down INGO structure, ICRW has created a new decentralized global network comprising three autonomous regional entities—ICRW-Africa, ICRW-Americas, and ICRW-Asia. Each region, led by an executive director and governed by its own independent board, will set priorities rooted in its own context, ensuring decisions are guided by local needs, realities, and opportunities.

Together, these entities form the ICRW Network, united by a common vision, mission, values, and brand, and driven by a commitment to unlock opportunity and improve the lives of women, girls, and structurally excluded people. 

“This evolution is the fulfillment of a long-term goal to make ICRW more equitable and shift power and decision-making closer to the communities we serve,” said Ann Warner, Interim CEO. “I am deeply grateful to our team for their determination, openness, and dedication to realizing our vision of a global network.” 

ICRW will no longer have a global CEO, a global governing board, or headquarters in the United States; instead, the regional entities in Africa, the Americas, and Asia will be connected by a Global Advisory Board that guides execution of their shared vision and goals. A Global Coordinating Unit (GCU) will anchor network-wide operations and connectivity.

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Bama Athreya, PhD, as the Executive Director, Americas. Dr. Athreya will lead ICRW-Americas, focusing on regional needs while partnering with her counterparts, boards, and GCU to realize the network’s shared global vision. She brings extensive experience from government, philanthropy, and NGOs, with a focus on issues critical to ICRW’s mission. Dr. Athreya joins an exceptional team leading our globally connected network, including Evelyne Opondo, Executive Director, ICRW-Africa, and Ravi Verma, Executive Director, ICRW-Asia.

“The ICRW Network model enables contextual leadership at the regional level and accelerates our collective impact globally,” said Tara Abrahams, ICRW Board Chair. “We are grateful to Ann Warner for leading us through this organizational transition with clarity and care and are pleased to welcome Bama Athreya as we step into the next chapter.”

Most recently, Dr. Athreya served as ICRW’s Director of Global Advocacy. “I’m excited to join the leadership of an organization that is embracing the principle of ‘shared purpose, shared power,’” she said. “We have so much to learn from our network partners in Africa and Asia as we launch an exciting next generation of work in the Americas.”

ICRW’s new model enhances our ability to generate actionable evidence, provide insights, inform policy, and co-design solutions that create lasting change. Together, we are charting a path toward a more inclusive and equitable future for all.

Learn more about ICRW’s transformation.

– ENDS –