Dr.Chisina Kapungu Named Executive Director of WomenStrong, Eyes Global Impact

• WomenStrong International has appointed Dr. Chisina Kapungu as its new Executive Director.
• WomenStrong’s partners focus on girls' education, health, and economic security, expanding to include climate justice initiatives.

Dr. Chisina Kapungu has been appointed as the new Executive Director of WomenStrong International, effective immediately at NEW YORK. Dr. Susan M. Blaustein, the global gender equity organization’s founder and longtime leader, will remain Chair and President of the Board and Strategic Advisory Council.

Dr. Blaustein said “Chisina is exactly the right person to lead WomenStrong at this moment, She has built trust and mutual respect among our community of partner organizations from Cambodia to Rwanda to Guatemala. Her passion for equity and justice, and her determination to advance the rights and empowerment of women and girls worldwide, are unparalleled and unstoppable.”

Before this role, Dr. Kapungu was WomenStrong’s Director of Learning and Partnerships. She has nearly 20 years of experience as a clinical psychologist, community-based researcher, and program developer with special expertise in adolescent health, sexual and reproductive health, and HIV/AIDS. Before joining WomenStrong, she served as Senior Gender and Youth Specialist at the International Center for Research on Women.

Dr. Kapungu expressed, “I’m honored to step into this role at such a critical time. I look forward to working with WomenStrong’s team and partners to advance gender equity, tackle women’s rights challenges, and support women-led organizations globally. I’m inspired by WomenStrong’s mission to shift power, money, and resources to women."

"The areas of girls' education, reproductive health, violence prevention, and economic security are the focus of WomenStrong’s partner organizations, which span across Asia, Africa, and the Americas.. In early 2025 the nonprofit will launch a new cohort of partners focused on climate and environmental justice.

“Our partners have unique expertise in creating effective, sustainable solutions to the many issues facing women and girls. I look forward to working with them in solidarity to make sure their voices are heard, and to make the world that they envision into a reality,” said Dr. Kapungu.