This is a timely article given the loss of USAID and thousands of jobs and millions of lives that will result. I like many grieve the impact on countries and projects that will suffer or be immediately cut off. Despite this being a corporate article this may provide some ideas on how to cope in the current situation. Most important is for you to remember the aid, development and humanitarian sector has been through many changes and many challenges but we will come back stronger and with greater impact. Stay strong and stay hopeful. 

It’s been a busy start to 2025, with rumblings out of the US, concerning the dismantling of much of the work of USAID globally, emerging to take centre stage and setting an uneasy tone.

I am a firm believer in volunteering at all stages of one’s career (not just in the early years) so I became a Mentor for the Women in International Affairs Network (WIAN) which provides support for early career professionals from across disciplines in international affairs, aid and development. I also supported the work of Cufa, as a member of the International Development Working GroupI. I have also been a committee member for the 2019 and 2021 Research for Development Impact Network Conferences (formerly Australian Council for International Development Universities network), Coordinator of the WASH Knowledge Hub for Engineers without Borders NSW, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Youth Conference Team member and volunteered as conference assistants for the Australian Council for Human Rights Education and International Peace Research Association. And of course, now my non-executive director role on the board of WiAD!

Recapping our July 2024 ONLINE event.

For working mothers, few things can be more important than ending self-doubt. Getting these feelings under control will help you in your career and with your family.