A Message from Executive Director, Sarah Costa
After 15 fulfilling years leading the Women’s Refugee Commission, I am writing to share some personal news: I will be retiring from my position as executive director at the end of 2025. Serving this remarkable organization during such a pivotal period has been the greatest honor of my career, and I am deeply proud of all that we have accomplished together.
Our work has reshaped the humanitarian system by redefining what it means to center the voices of migrant and refugee women and girls. Through our collective efforts, WRC has become a leading force for gender equality in humanitarian policy and practice, ensuring that displaced women and girls are protected and that their agency and leadership are respected.
At a time when the dignity and rights of displaced persons are increasingly under threat—and when global progress toward gender equality has stalled or even reversed—the WRC mission has never been more urgent. This extraordinary organization works to ensure that forcibly displaced women and girls everywhere can live with dignity, safety, and self-determination.
I am deeply grateful for the remarkable staff, devoted board, and the many partners and supporters with whom I have been privileged to work over these many years, and whose knowledge, talent, and dedication to WRC’s mission and vision I so deeply appreciate. Being a witness to the courage, strength, and resilience of the women and communities we serve has been my constant inspiration.
I have every confidence that the next executive director will bring strong and steady leadership to carry forward our mission and sustain WRC well into the future. The board co-chairs will lead a thoughtful and inclusive transition process and will share more information soon.
A heartfelt thank you to you and all who stand with us. Your unwavering belief in and support for WRC’s mission make all the difference. I remain a devoted champion of the Women’s Refugee Commission and I’m confident that it is well poised for this next chapter—one of continued courage, innovation, and impact.
With deep gratitude,
Sarah Costa
A Message from Board Co-Chairs Alex Arriaga and Ivonne Dersch
On behalf of the board of directors, we are immensely grateful for Sarah’s many accomplishments and deep impact over the 15 years she has led the Women’s Refugee Commission. We respect her decision and are confident that she will find new ways to continue supporting and advocating for displaced women and girls around the world.
During Sarah’s tenure, the WRC transitioned to become an independent organization, expanded its global presence, and drove change through evidence, partnership, and advocacy. Sarah increased the WRC’s capacity for impact when she grew its financial resources, increased the professional staff, and prioritized alliances that extended the WRC’s reach and influence far beyond its size.
As we prepare to celebrate Sarah, we reflect on her 15 years guiding WRC toward great impact. Among some of the many noteworthy accomplishments, WRC:
- championed and shaped international standards and policies grounded in the core belief that gender equality and human rights are inseparable from effective humanitarian response;
- served as the Secretariat for the multi-stakeholder Call to Action on Protection from Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies;
- influenced the crafting and implementation of global initiatives including the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and the bipartisan US Women, Peace and Security Act, which reaffirm the vital role of women in peace-building, humanitarian response, and post-conflict reconstruction.
By listening to women affected by crisis and displacement, WRC nimbly took up their most pressing issues. With this lens, WRC:
- moved the needle on disability inclusion in humanitarian programs;
- ensured that sexual and reproductive health is recognized as an essential part of humanitarian response from the onset of crises;
- advanced evidence-based solutions that improve opportunities for adolescent girls in emergencies;
- championed refugee self-reliance;
- advocated for ending gender discrimination in nationality laws;
- pressed for US immigration, detention, and enforcement policies to align with international legal obligations;
- facilitated and supported the establishment of the Global Refugee Youth Network, a first-of-its-kind refugee youth-led organization.
We are grateful for Sarah’s commitment to this critical body of work. The board has engaged an executive search firm and is facilitating a thoughtful, inclusive process to hire our next executive director that ensures WRC continues providing critical contributions to the field and grows its impact in the future. We look forward to sharing more information soon and appreciate your ongoing support for WRC.
Alex Arriaga Ivonne Dersch