Management Team
Executive Director
Susan Burgess-Lent
Ms. Burgess-Lent began her career in humanitarian relief and development in 1994 and has worked extensively in East Africa. She is the former Program Director of Darfur Peace and Development Organization (DPDO), responsible for the funding and operation of Kassab Women’s Center, the model on which WCI's work is based.
She previously served as a consultant to the African Immigrant and Refugee Foundation (AIF), InterAction, CEPDA, and on staff at the American Red Cross International Services.
She also worked for many years in television news.
In 2019, she published the non-fiction book Trouble Ahead: Dangerous Missions with Desperate People, about her work in Africa. She has presented speeches for many organizations about the impact of war and poverty on women, and solutions that can be implemented for their benefit.
Lead Fundraiser and ED Successor
Mercy Kamau, MPH
Ms. Kamau is a public health and gender specialist, and an ardent champion of right-based approaches to health and development.
For over twenty years, she has worked closely with scientists, researchers, policymakers, and strategic partners at national, regional, and international levels to increase demand, access, and utilization of high-quality public health services, products, and technologies. She is a seasoned visionary, and a high-performing, result-oriented leader committed to the attainment of public health rights and gender equality for all through the implementation of science, research, and advocacy.
Previously she worked for eleven years with Jhpiego Kenya where she offered strategic leadership and management of various projects that included Jilinde, Champions for Change, and Tupange projects among others. She also has served as Workplace Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and Gender Advisor for the Federation of Kenya Employers; Social Behavior Change Coordinator for Doctors of the World USA; and Health and Nutrition Coordinator with ADRA Kenya.
She earned a Master of Public Health degree from Kenyatta University and will complete a PhD in Reproductive Health in 2024.
Advisors and Consultants
Daria Sievers, LCSW
Trauma-Informed Program Development
Jong Lee, CPA
The Lee Accountancy Group, Oakland, CA
Volunteers
Medha (Mayura) Khatavkar
Administrative Assistant and Salesforce Administrator
Medha holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration from ICFAI University India, and a Master Certificate in Strategic HRM from Michigan State University US. She is a Certified Professional Scrum Master & Certified Salesforce Administrator.
She has a positive attitude and ability to accomplish goals with strong problem-solving skills. She is self-motivated, detail-oriented, passionate about her work, and always willing to learn new skills & technologies.
Medha is also enthusiastic about supporting and contributing her time for a social causes and is a resourceful ally.
Shelby Collier
Administrative Assistant
Shelby lives in Farmington, Missouri and is a recent graduate in Global Studies, Spanish, and International Relations from Missouri State University. She has a strong passion for human rights and humanitarian work.