Staffing Up for Growth: ICRW Announces Three New Hires

The International Center for Research on Women (ICRW) has appointed three new hires in key leadership roles: Madhu Deshmukh, chief operating officer, Asia Regional Office; Jennifer McCleary-Sills, director, gender violence and rights; and Stella Mukasa, director, Africa Regional Office.

“I am delighted to welcome three outstanding professionals to ICRW,” said Sarah Degnan Kambou, ICRW president. ”Their extensive experience in the field will undoubtedly contribute to ICRW’s mission and vision.”

With more than 23 years of experience managing programs globally in over 40 countries, Madhu Deshmukh will oversee day-to-day operations for the Asia Regional Office, provide programmatic leadership and support and implement systems to ensure its growth. Prior to joining ICRW in 2014, Deshmukh was the president of Tenth Planet LLC where she provided advice on strategy and innovation around social development, gender and public health related issues to various organizations, some of which include: CARE USA; the United Nations Foundation; and Lebara Foundation UK.

Jennifer McCleary-Sills has returned to ICRW as the director of gender, violence and rights. In this capacity, McCleary-Sills will lead the portfolio of work exploring the causes and consequences of all forms of gender-based violence and what works to prevent it. Prior to returning to ICRW, McCleary-Sills was the senior gender-based violence & development specialist at the World Bank. She has more than 15 years of experience as an international development professional and researcher on gender issues, with a specific expertise on gender-based violence, sexual and reproductive health, and healthy transitions to adulthood.

Stella Mukasa, former director of the gender violence and rights portfolio has been appointed regional director of ICRW’s Africa Regional Office. In this role, Mukasa will lead and further grow ICRW’s portfolio of research in sub-Saharan Africa. A lawyer with more than 20 years of experience in gender, governance and human rights, Mukasa is dedicated to addressing the underlying causes and consequences of gender based discrimination and using evidence to inform policies and programs that improve girls’ and women’s well-being. Mukasa has extensive experience in advising governments, national and international nongovernmental organizations and development agencies on formulating gender-responsive policies, including supporting Rwanda’s Constitution and Uganda’s Domestic Violence Act 2010. 

“I am confident that their talent will take ICRW to new levels of success and continued growth,” added Kambou.