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CSW65 Parallel Event - Intimate Partner Violence & COVID: What Can Employers Do?

Hosted by

Adriana Leigh Greenblatt

Café Description

The presence of the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated pre-existing social problems, discrimination, and inequality. According to global reports, gender-based violence has increased with a staggering 40 percent rise in some countries, and working from home is not a safe option for many. Many employees are experiencing challenges with productivity, mental health, and feeling overwhelmed as they navigate online working environments and support their children, while living in hostile and volatile spaces with intimate partners. Employers face unprecedented difficulties with remote working, supporting their employees, and remaining viable in a world where technology-driven change demands change itself and new ways of working. As COVID-19 lingers, employers must establish an adequate human-centered feminist response to intimate partner violence when it shows up to work.

To attend this event, register as an advocate with NGO/CSW here and add the event to your CSW schedule on the event platform here.

Moderator(s)

Desziree Richardson

Presenter(s)

Lara Quentrall-Thomas, Tamta Muradashvili, Sherna Alexander Benjamin, D. Olivia Rojas

Presenter Details
  • Moderator: Desziree Richardson
  • Desziree's authentic presence and sincere transparency have showcased her unique talents as a speaker, author, media personality, broadcaster, and witty reporter. She is sincere, personable, and a consummate professional. Her magnetic voice made her famous with her listening audience as one-part smooth, two parts delightful, and a large portion of entertaining and joyful communication. Alongside her established media and celebrity career, Desziree is dedicated to helping people in need and has a real passion for empowering women, volunteering, and philanthropy. Her mission is to help change lives and to influence others positively through my empowering projects She has contributed to many funds and awareness-raising campaigns, including live auction bids with other celebrities and volunteering as a UNICEF Children's Champion. Desziree has helped and inspired others. She has received awards and recognition for her work, including the England Gold Award, reflecting her passion, leadership, dedication to various causes, and many other prestigious awards. She is the Women of Heart Foundation founder, which raises funds to celebrate, support, promote, empower, and educate women globally. Women of Heart Awards, launched in 2020, celebrates and honors fifty global iconic and amazing women who make a difference in the world. The face of WOHA, a platform is designed to connect, support, and promote women to become leaders and instrumental in making the world a better place and connecting diverse women for a better cause. Writing high-quality fiction and nonfiction, she has swiftly become an international bestselling author with a dedicated fan base and successfully moved into the world of international publishing.
Presenter Details
  • Adriana Greenblatt
  • Adriana brings 15+ years of diverse experience as a workplace human rights and employment lawyer, trainer and facilitator in gender, diversity and inclusion, and organizational well-being. Adriana leverages her background to support organizations to create gender equitable, safe and inclusive environments and relations through training/facilitation, policy development, coaching and communications. Prior to her consulting work, Adriana spent several years as a human rights lawyer specialising in workplace discrimination and sexual harassment and held the position of Director, Organizational Wellness at Homewood Heath. Recent work includes developing and implementing sexual and gender-based harassment prevention mechanisms with UN Women Georgia, working with STEM companies to ensure inclusive work environments and contributing to the UN Global Compact Network of Canada's Blueprint for Gender Equality in the Private Sector. In 2020, she received a World Pulse Spirit award in the Champion category, and was recently included on World Pulse’s list as one of 21 women leaders to watch in 2021.
  • https://algconsulting.ca/
Presenter Details
  • Sherna Benjamin Alexander
  • Sherna Alexander Benjamin is a leader who redefines women's leadership and interpersonal violence prevention using a justice approach. She is listed on The Gender Security Project "FemiList100, 2021" as one of 100 women from the global south to watch in the coming years, and World Pulse lists her as one of 21 women leaders to watch in 2021. She is pursuing Social Work studies at Huntington University, where her interests are in research and policy. She is a 2020-2021 Global Public Voices Faculty Fellow at Cornell University's Einaudi Center, a World Pulse Digital Ambassador, and a Women, Peace, and Security Advocate. With 14+ experience as a social system and gap analyst and consultant, she promotes a culture for the advancement of women and children, justice, collaboration, storytelling, and peacebuilding. Her life inspires women to embrace their autonomy and agency, build their leadership capacity, and tap into their power to create their privilege. Sherna has received numerous awards, including the 2021 UK-based Women of Heart Award for 'Advocate for Women, Peace, and Social Protection.' She is a public speaker, author, encourager, and a thriving survivor of severe childhood and adult abuse. She draws power from the Divine, strength from her immediate family and friends, inspiration from Colleen Abdoulah, and motivation from the Amazon Sisterhood.
  • shernabenjamin@outlook.com
Presenter Details
  • Olivia Rojas (she/her/ella)
  • Olivia Rojas is a victim advocate with over eight years of specialized experience in cross-systems advocacy, capacity building, and training. She brings an understanding of the impact of policies and protocol on the lives of survivors engaging with multiple systems, the unique challenges various systems experience in working with survivors, and a creative and collaborative approach to addressing the needs of survivors. ​ Ms. Rojas has a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and a Master’s in Organizational Leadership from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, Texas. She also holds a Master’s in Social Work from Boston University. Olivia has worked with the San Antonio Police Department improving law enforcement responses to intimate partner violence, the US Army at Torii Station, Okinawa in coordinating installation responses to survivors, with the New Jersey Department of Child Protection and Permanency in strengthening child welfare’s capacity to support child and adult victims of intimate partner violence and promote safe parenting among people who cause harm. She worked with the New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault where she conducted the first statewide audit of rape crisis center hotlines, developed the 40-hour Confidential Sexual Violence Advocate curriculum, and continually advocated for the needs of Black and Indigenous women and Women of Color impacted by sexual violence. Olivia is a nationally recognized trainer and expert on issues of intimate partner violence and sexual violence and has presented at the National Sexual Assault Conference, consulted with Futures Without Violence, and the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges. Olivia was awarded the Shining Star Award by Healing Wounds in New Jersey in 2019, an award that recognizes survivors of sexual violence who have made positive impacts in their community. Olivia published a blog in 2020 with the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence detailing her experience as a Latina within state coalition work, and the ways in which white feminism shows up in the anti-violence movement. Currently, Olivia is with Rutgers University Camden’s Office of Violence Prevention and Victim Assistance where she supports survivor response and violence prevention efforts in higher education. She is also a co-founder for the Center for Building Resilient Communities, a technical assistance and capacity building organization focused on anti-violence work through a racial justice framework. As an advocate, she has worked to educate system partners on power-based violence and develop their ability to effectively respond to survivors. Olivia’'s personal experience with sexual and dating violence taught her the many ways systems designed to help often fail to do so, and she has dedicated her career to strengthening the capacity of systems to support all survivors. Olivia centers her work on the ways in which oppression and violence intersect, advocating for the liberation and healing of all communities.
  • devin.rojas09@gmail.com
Presenter Details
  • Tamta Muradashvili
  • A Director at Mtavari Channel LLC, her function is to support the implementation of watchdog activities of the most critical popular television station. Tamta Muradashvili participated in establishing and launching Mtavari Channel in 19 days, in response to censorship from Rustavi2 Broadcasting Company’s new management. Before Mtavari Channel, Tamta Muradashvili was a Chief Legal Counsel at Rustavi 2 Broadcasting Company from 2008 till August 2019. She has brought the high profile, government-orchestrated ownership legal dispute of Rustavi 2, to the European Court of Human Rights. Tamta Muradashvili has 12-year experience in practicing law. Her work experience includes teaching media law at the Georgian Institute of Public Affairs (GIPA). She is an active contributor to ensuring the free exercise of freedom of speech and expression in Georgia and to raising awareness on women’s rights. The Free University of Tbilisi has nominated her for the “Human Rights Defender of 2017” award for her contribution to human rights development and protection in the year of 2017. From 2019, she serves as the Chairwoman of Communications and Media Law Committee at Georgian Bar Association and is a member of the International Bar Association. Tamta Muradashvili holds LLMs from Tbilisi State University and the University of Vienna.
Presenter Details
  • Lara Quentrall-Thomas
  • Entrepreneur, talent management professional, philanthropist Founder & Chair of Regency Recruitment & Resources, Port of Spain, Trinidad
  • lara@regencytrinidad.com
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    Elise Do (she/her)

    Treasurer

    Elise Do is a seasoned technology executive with a wealth of experience in the data domain, particularly within financial and banking institutions. Throughout her extensive career in Information Technology, she has gained a deep understanding of gender-related issues in the industry. She has actively worked towards breaking barriers and fostering an environment of inclusivity and diversity.

    Elise’s commitment to empowering others is evident in her professional endeavors and extensive involvement in the non-profit sector.

    Her training as a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteer underscores her passion for making a positive impact beyond the corporate world.

    By dedicating her time and expertise to advocate for children in foster care, Elise exemplifies her unwavering commitment to serving her community and creating a brighter future for those in need. Her multifaceted contributions, both within her professional career and through her philanthropic efforts, speak volumes about her character and dedication to making a difference in the lives of others.

     
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    Yona Nestel (she/they)

    Advisory Council

    Yona is a values driven feminist collaborator who brings together global leaders, national policy makers and grassroots activists to drive action for inclusive quality education and to tackle the root causes of gender inequality. She is strategic, collaborative and innovative with a proven track record of transforming global commitments on gender equality into tangible actions and impact. She is experienced working within, as well as leading, multi-stakeholder initiatives and ensuring that partnerships are nurtured through building solidarity and consensus, while navigating and addressing existing power structures that may hinder meaningful change. As a recognized global gender equality and education advocate and programming expert, with nearly 20 years of experience advising and managing education programs and advocacy initiatives, her main areas of interest and expertise include gender transformative education, education policy and planning and grassroots advocacy, campaigning & coalition building. 

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    Dr. Christopher Isike (he/him)

    Advisory Council

    Christopher Isike, PhD, is a Professor of African Politics and International Relations and Head, Department of Political Sciences, University of Pretoria. He is also the Director of the African Centre for the Study of the United States, University of Pretoria (ACSUS-UP). He serves as the current President of the African Association of Political Science (AAPS), and member of the Board of Directors of Global Development Network (GDN).

    Professor Isike conducts research from an Africanist lens, and teaches international relations theory, strategic and security studies, and security theory at the University of Pretoria. His research interests include African soft power politics, women, peace and conflict studies, women and political representation in Africa, rethinking state formation in Africa, politics in a digital era and African immigration to South Africa. A C2 rated researcher by the NRF, Professor Isike has over 80 publications in top national and international peer-reviewed journals including chapters in books published by reputable publishing houses globally. He is Editor-in-Chief of Africa’s foremost political science journal, Politikon: South African Journal of Political Studies (2020 to 2024), and has been Editor of Ubuntu: Journal of Conflict and Social Transformation since 2017. Professor Isike  also serves on the editorial board of several reputable international journals, such as International Political Science Review, Canadian Journal of African Studies, and the African Journal of Political Science. He is on the editorial team of Territory, Politics, Governance and Strategic Review for Southern Africa. Professor Isike consults for the UNFPA, UNICEF, UN Women and the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government on gender equality and women empowerment issues in South Africa. He is a Social Cohesion Advocate of South Africa appointed by the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture (2020 – 2024).

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    Laxman Belbase (no pronouns)

    Advisory Council

    I currently work as one of the Co-Directors of MenEngage Alliance, where I co-lead overall operations, strategic directions and political advocacy, and support the regional and country networks of the Alliance worldwide. Originally from Nepal, I have more than 20 years of experience in strategic planning and organisational management; programs development, technical support, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, learning and accountability, and advocacy for women’s rights, working with men and boys in gender justice, & child rights. In my professional life I have worked with and provided technical support to various Human Right I/NGOs, UN Agencies and Governments across various parts of the world, specifically South and Central Asia, Sub-Sahara Africa, Middle East, Europe, North America, and Caribbean regions.

     

    Prior to MenEngage Alliance I worked at Save the Children Sweden for 7 years where I was a core group member that worked to put in place the Gender Equality Policy for Save the Children International and developed Gender Integration Toolkit for the agency as well as provided technical and capacity strengthening support to country and regional offices around the world. Prior to that I worked in a national NGO in Nepal, Forum for Protection of Public Interest (Pro Public), where I worked in the areas of Gender Equality, HIV/Aids stigma reduction, Good Governance and Anti-Corruption as well as Administrator of the organization. I also contributed to the development of the National Action Plan on HIV/AIDS, back in 2006 while working in partnership with UNAIDS in Nepal. I am passionate about decolonising evidence-based promising innovations and scaling up, along with strong advocacy and evaluation skills.

     

    My primary areas of expertise are in the areas of transforming masculinities and working with men and boys in gender equality, child protection, violence prevention, fatherhood, & sexual & reproductive health & rights, with demonstrated abilities to provide strategic leadership to advocate and provide technical support. I have conducted awareness raising and capacity strengthening with and for the people in positions of power across various government and UN agencies, including the UN Department of Safety and Security (DSS). I was a member of the group that led the very first National Action Plan on ending GBV in Nepal in 2010, working closely with the Prime Minister’s Office and UK Aid Agency.

     

    In my voluntary capacity, I am a member of the Leadership Council of the Global Women’s Institute as well as a member of the UN Spotlight Initiative’s Global Civil Society Global Reference Group (GRG). I am a part-time faculty at the Elliott School of International Affairs, The George Washington University, Washington DC-USA, teaching a course on “Masculinities in International Affairs”.

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    Di Wang (she/her)

    Advisory Council

    Di Wang is the Deputy Director of the W.O.W. Project, an arts and anti-gentrification organization in New York City that centers women, queer, non-binary, and trans Asian youth as leaders working to grow and protect Chinatown’s creative culture. A feminist researcher and community organizer, Di has worked in program design, donor advocacy and participatory research to move resources to the frontlines of social change. Prior to W.O.W., Di was a senior program officer at FRIDA |The Young Feminist Fund where she co-led FRIDA’s participatory grantmaking processes and also implemented a funding plus model for young feminist organizers and collectives in global majority countries. She holds a PhD in Sociology at the University of Wisconsin−Madison. Her research focuses on how LGBTQ and feminist activists mobilize art, cultural lineage and family discourse to sustain social movement. Her work has been published in Journal of Contemporary China, Law & Social Inquiry, China Law and Society Review, Qualitative Inquiry, ChinaFile, lambda nordica, and elsewhere.

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    Dr Madeleine Pape (she/her)

    Advisory Council

    Dr Madeleine Pape (she/her) is a sociologist at the University of Lausanne’s Institute of Social

    Sciences. Following her career as an Olympic athlete for Australia (Beijing Olympic Games,

    Athletics, 800m), she obtained her PhD at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Since March

    2022, Madeleine has been employed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to support

    the organization’s policy work around the inclusion of transgender athletes and athletes with

    natural sex variations. Here, her work is informed by both her research and her experience of

    competing alongside South African Olympic champion Caster Semenya at the 2009 World

    Championships in Berlin. Madeleine’s primary area of research examines debates surrounding

    how “sex” is defined in national legislation and policies for inclusion in sport and biomedical

    research, including the role of feminist mobilization. Her research and policy expertise also

    encompasses the promotion of gender equality in international sports governance. Her work has

    been published in leading international journals and has received support from the US National

    Science Foundation, Australian Research Council, Swiss National Science Foundation, and

    Olympic Studies Centre.

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    Sidita Zaja (she/her)

    Membership & Nominations Committee Co-Lead

    Hailing originally from Albania and now making waves in Europe, Sidita Zaja is a dynamic force in the realms of law, human rights, and feminism. Armed with a foundational Law degree from the University of Tirana, she further sharpened her expertise with an LLM in Public International Law and Human Rights from the prestigious Riga Graduate School of Law. Notably, Sidita proudly stands as the founder of Albania’s pioneering LGBT organization, Aleanca kunder diskriminimit LGBT ne Shqiperi, and the trailblazing Shelter Streha LGBT.

    With an illustrious 12-year journey championing human rights in Albania, Sidita’s relentless pursuit of knowledge led her to the European Law LLM program, specializing in Commercial Law at Europa Kolleg, University of Hamburg. This multidisciplinary trajectory equips her uniquely, enabling a holistic lens to dissect complex challenges by melding legal intricacies with overarching societal dynamics.

    Passionate about weaving principles of integrity, compassion, and equity into every endeavor, Sidita envisions a world harmonized by justice and sustainability. As she pivots her focus toward environmental imperatives, her holistic perspective underscores the interwoven tapestry of human rights and ecological responsibility. Her fervor for a just society resonates deeply, driving her to bridge principles with profession, catalyzing a brighter, equitable future for all.

    An ardent advocate for gender equity, Sidita aligns seamlessly with the Society of Gender Professionals (SGP), a global nexus championing feminist action, research, and expertise. The SGP’s emphasis on intersectional gender analysis echoes her comprehensive approach, emphasizing the intricate layers of gender, policy, and practice. Sidita’s dedication extends beyond advocacy; she recognizes the profound implications of the gender leadership gap, underscoring its pivotal role in global progress. For Sidita, addressing this chasm is not merely a quest for parity but a transformative stride toward unlocking the boundless potential of women worldwide.

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    Marina Csikos (she/her)

    Diversity & Inclusion Committee Co-Lead

    Marina Csikós is a Roma feminist and dedicated gender equality professional. Born and raised in Hungary as a Roma woman, she embodies a passion for social justice that has led her to impactful professional roles. Marina gained her master’s education at the Central European University in Critical Gender Studies, where she focused her research on intersectional justice and feminist knowledge production. Throughout her career, she has worked with European intergovernmental institutions, foundations, civil society organizations and art institutions, where she focused on amplifying feminist values and intersectional perspectives. Marina’s mission is to challenge the multiple forms of discrimination and oppression that BIPOC women and girls face and to promote diversity and inclusion at all spheres of life.

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    Dr. Kate Rowe, MSN, CNM, DNP (she/they)

    Diversity & Inclusion Committee Co-Lead

    Kate is a New Zealand expat who lives near Seattle, USA with her wife and sons. She is a Nurse Midwife working exclusively with people in marginalized bodies with a focus on maternal health and inclusive reproductive healthcare practices. 
     
    Kate earned her Masters degree in 2018 with a specialty in Nurse Midwifery from Seattle University focusing on moral injury and burnout within the Midwifery profession. Completing her Doctorate of Nursing Practice in Healthcare Leadership in 2020, graduating again from Seattle University, she specializes in improving LGBTQ patient care through increasing provider education.
     
    Her professional focuses remain on equity and inclusion within the healthcare industry, teaching and precepting students, widening feminist conceptual frameworks and disseminating original research. 
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    Ndirangu Ngunjiri (he/him)

    Solidary & Partnerships committee Co-Lead

    FA Ndirangu Ngunjiri is a managing partner at Watermark Financial Consultants and a Doctoral
    (Finance & Accounting) fellow at the University of Nairobi in Finance with specialization in
    theoretical and empirical work on investments; public-private partnership, climate finance, and
    price formation in capital markets with experience over 17 years. Also, he is the chairperson of
    the ministerial audit committee Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, a member of the
    investments and financial securities committee at the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), and
    an executive audit committee member at Nairobi City County.
    FA Ndirangu is a full member of the Institute of Directors, Institute of Internal Auditors, Institute
    of Certified Financial Analysts (ICIFA), and Kenya Institute of Management (KIM) amongst
    others. He enjoyed rock climb, forest adventures, and mountain climbing last year climbed Mt
    Kilimanjaro for the third time.

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    Joan de Klerk

    Events & Professional Development Committee Co-Lead

    My extensive experience includes well over 32 years of professional experience and an exceptional record of continuing educational development, gender and development particularly in marginalised communities and women of colour. I have 15 years executive manager for a period of 13 years heading the programmes on gender and development. I have a master’s in management degree, and an Honours degree in Gender Studies. I have further achieved myriad qualifications including, Post Graduate Management Certificate, focusing on Monitoring & Evaluation, Bachelor of Arts Honours in Gender Studies and Bachelor of Arts in Education & English. I have hosted conducted and facilitates education programmes providing access to social justice for those affected by gender-based discrimination, violence and infringement of rights and women empowerment.  I have coordinated and developed content for gender training manuals, materials and CGE publications, including editing and proofreading.  During my tenure as a director (senior manager), I provided management to staff and leadership to the organisation which was aligned to the strategic plan and its overall vision. I established policies that promote the organisational culture and coordinated the daily operations of the organisation working closely with the different units. I effectively managed and the performance of the organisation utilising its M&E frameworks templates, interpreting data and metrics to ensure reliable and effective reporting on programmatic work.

    Sonia 2

    Sonia Ruiz García

    Secretariat-at-Large

    Sonia Ruiz García, Ph.D, graduated in Political Science and Administration and completed her MA in Political Science Advanced Studies at the Autonomous University in Barcelona (Spain). She has worked as a policy officer in the European Women’s Lobby in Brussels and as a political adviser in Spanish Ministers’ Cabinets. As part of the civil servant corps of the government of the province of Barcelona, Sonia has served in a range of positions, including as director of the equality plan. Sonia has a wide background in teaching university and practitioner courses. Her PhD thesis (2013) analyses the concept of work in the women’s and feminist movement in Spain and was awarded the biannual Maria Angeles Duran second prize for Scientific Innovation in the field of Spanish Women’s and Gender Studies (2014). She is the author of a number of articles and publications. Her research focuses on feminism and equality, public policy, social movements and labour issues. Sonia was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Centre for Diversity Policy Research and Practice at Oxford Brookes University where she also was a Research associate. Currently she is the director of Gender Services and Time Policies in Barcelona City Council where her team was awarded a prize on public policy innovation for starting the gender impact assessment of local tax policies. Sonia has been active in several feminist and community organisations and is always keen on participating in social change activism. She has a daughter, Vera.

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    Salomi Christie

    Parliamentarian

    Salomi Christie is a multi-hyphenate professional with training and experience at the intersection of human rights, law, research, design and allied spheres. Out beyond ideas of disciplines and expertise, there is a field. You’ll often meet her there, trying to connect dots, making meaning alongside copious notes and learning something new.

    She also co-leads the SGP Employment & Peer Support Circle and is currently engaged in trans-disciplinary pursuits and projects.

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    Vani Bhardwaj

    Co-President

    Vani Bhardwaj is an intersectional feminist researcher-activist. She traverses the intersections of gender-based violence and feminist climate action in her movement-building, research, and writing. She volunteers her time across various transnational feminist networks and collectives in myriad capacities. She is addicted to volunteering and considers herself a lifelong learner.

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    Titilola Olojede

    Secretary

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    Ritu Gupta (She/Her)

    Advisory Council, Former Co-President

    Ritu is based in Kolkata, India and is currently working as a Programme Manager with Gender at Work, an international feminist knowledge network. She has researched and written extensively on gender-related issues including, gender identities, child marriage, and domestic workers’ rights, amongst others. Ritu holds a Masters in Gender and Development from IDS, Sussex. She is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and Six Sigma Green Belt (on process improvement) practitioner.

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    Bren Kutch (they/them)

    Advisory Council, former Co-President

    Bren has spent their career in human resources, organizational equity and inclusion, and administration. This experience includes time with Portland State University, Mercy Corps, USAID, and volunteering for various LGBTQI+, gender, and social justice organizations. They also hold a Masters of Public Administration in HR Management from Portland State University.

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    Karine Lepillez

    SGP Founder and Advisory Council

    Karine Lepillez is Deputy Chief of Party for USAID Gender LEAD. She was formerly Global Director for Gender Equality and Girls’ Education at Room to Read and Director for Gender Policy & Practice at Navanti Group, a conflict and peacebuilding research firm. She has led and supported the operationalization of gender equality policies around the world, including as Principal of Inclusive Societies, where she worked with the World Bank, the United Nations, the U.S. Government, and other donors and implementing partners to address structural barriers to gender equality. A former USAID Gender Advisor in Pakistan, Karine designed the Mission’s Gender Equality and Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response Strategy and managed strategic partnerships to implement the U.S. Women, Peace and Security National Action Plan. Karine is the founder of the Society of Gender Professionals (SGP), a non-profit organization of gender practitioners, academics, and activists dedicated to promoting feminist action and applied research, and raising the profile of gender expertise around the world. She teaches courses at Georgetown on gender policy, mainstreaming and advocacy, as a part of the Institute for Women Peace and Security.

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    Dr. Kristy Kelly (She/Her)

    Former Co-President

    Kristy Kelly is a sociologist specializing in gender and development, policy and politics, transnational feminisms, gender mainstreaming, and social change in Southeast Asia. She is currently assistant clinical professor of global and international education at Drexel University and Associate Research Scholar at the Weatherhead East Asian Institute at Columbia University. Kristy teaches courses on gender mainstreaming, education diplomacy, gender and development in Southeast Asia and qualitative research methods. She has published on gender and education leadership, gender mainstreaming policy, gender and corruption, and post-socialist transition in Vietnam. She also consults and advises on gender and development issues for multilateral and humanitarian aid organizations such as UNESCO, The Asia Foundation, and Transparency International in Asia and Africa. Kristy serves as an Expert Advisor on Gender Mainstreaming to the United Nations, and is a Fulbright Core Specialist on Gender Equality. She received her BA from Pennsylvania State University, and MA and PhD from the University of Wisconsin – Madison.

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    Aparna Arora (She/Her)

    Co-President

    Aparna Arora is development practitioner with a decade of experience across finance, investing, social enterprise development, and nonprofit management, in sectors such as livelihoods, water and sanitation, and gender justice, within local and international nonprofits, donor organizations, and a multilateral agency.

    Most recently, Aparna has worked as a consultant or board member with three women and non-binary individuals-led organizations in the US, including NYC Fair Trade Coalition, a grassroots nonprofit promoting fair trade businesses and sustainable fashion; INCLUSIVE, an NYC-based social enterprise creating one-stop early intervention solutions for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities; and the Society of Gender Professionals (SGP), a global network of gender academics, activists, and practitioners. She regularly mentors girls and gender-expansive youth in high school and college on career readiness through the nonprofit, Girls Write Now. 

    In 2021, Aparna completed a Master of Public Administration (MPA) with a specialization in Gender and Public Policy at the School of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University, USA, attending as a Maguire Fellow (a merit-based scholarship). At the school, she researched and wrote policy papers on issues impacting the rights of women informal workers, transgender people, urban slum dwellers, and displaced people, while doing a deep dive into relevant national and state-level policies of her home country, India. As a graduate intern at UNICEF’s Office of Emergency Programs, Aparna developed a sanitation return-on-Investment tool to advocate for gender-responsive and disability-inclusive financing for durable water, sanitation & hygiene solutions in humanitarian emergencies. This work was utilized in influential, high-level UN reports and donor communications.

    Prior to her studies at Columbia University, Aparna spent four years co-leading a technical assistance and investment program for social enterprises creating livelihoods for those living in extreme poverty in India at a non-profit called Upaya Social Ventures. Before her stint in the development sector, she spent three years in finance roles at private sector organizations such as McKinsey & Company and Masan Group Vietnam. Aparna holds a Bachelor of Business Studies from the University of Delhi, India.

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