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Women for Women International Leadership Update

Women for Women International (WfWI) is excited to share the appointment of Nunu Ntshingila as its new International Board Chair. Based in South Africa, Nunu is the former Regional Director of Africa for Meta and of Ogilvy and has decades of experience leading businesses in branding and marketing, advertising, and technology sectors across African markets. Nunu joined the board in 2023 when the organization brought on a new international Board comprising equally of members with roots in its programming regions and members with roots in supporter countries.  

“I’ve always been passionate about the potential of women in underserved communities so I’m very excited to take up this role. At a time of increasing global conflict, Women for Women International’s work serving women survivors of war in 17 countries around the world has never been more important. I’m grateful to our CEO Laurie Adams and our Chair Amjad Atallah for their vision and leadership in transforming WfWI to more effectively serve women at the frontlines of conflict.” said Nunu.  

Co-founder of WfWI and outgoing Board Chair, Amjad Atallah will continue to remain a vital part of WfWI’s governance in his role as At-Large member of our Board Leadership.  

As a next step in the organization’s strategy to shift power and resources and diversify its leadership, Women for Women International will be launching a recruitment for an International CEO with roots in the regions in which we program.  To make way for this change, Laurie Adams will be stepping down in January 2025 after having served as CEO for nine years.   

“With our governance structure transformed to be truly international and rooted in the regions we serve, the time is right to pave way for new leadership at staff level as well.  Five years into our 2030 strategy, we have built a powerful foundation to achieve our 2030 vision of reaching millions of women survivors of war.  I’m grateful for the privilege to have served alongside some of the most passionate, capable and committed colleagues in this sector,” said Laurie. 

Under Laurie’s leadership, the organization has close to doubled its revenue and expanded its footprint from 8 to 17 countries. Over 30 years, WfWI has reached over 579,000 women survivors of war equipping them with the resources, skills and knowledge to rebuild their lives, families and communities.  WfWI offices in Bosnia & Herzegovina, Kosova and Rwanda have successfully transitioned to independent sister organizations with their own Boards and leadership. The organization also went through a rebranding exercise and shifted from a US-dominated headquarters to a Global Support Center (GSC) comprising of globally dispersed cross-geography teams aligned to best support women in its programs.  

Marie Clarke, who has served as Chief Program Officer for over four years, will serve as Acting CEO from January 1 until a new CEO is appointed.