Innovation Leadership at IRC
AI Strategy • Digital Transformation • Global Platform Development
Leading comprehensive 360° campaign strategy that reshaped global perception of refugees from beneficiaries to changemakers, driving unprecedented engagement and policy conversations across 40+ countries through strategic storytelling and multi-platform activation.
4 Major Platforms Led
AI Board Committee
40+ Countries Impacted
2025 Innovation Award
Overview
As Head of Design for IRC's global operations, I spearheaded the innovation initiatives that earned us Fast Company's recognition as the Most Innovative Non-Profit for 2025. This involved leading creative strategy across four major innovation platforms while serving on IRC's AI Board Committee.
Strategic Innovation Framework: Developed comprehensive approach to innovation that balances cutting-edge technology with humanitarian principles, ensuring all innovations serve crisis-affected populations while maintaining IRC's trusted brand and ethical standards.
My role encompassed not just creative direction, but strategic thinking about how emerging technologies could enhance humanitarian impact. This required building new frameworks for responsible innovation while delivering immediate, measurable results.
As Head of Design for IRC's global operations, I spearheaded the innovation initiatives that earned us Fast Company's recognition as the Most Innovative Non-Profit for 2025. This involved leading creative strategy across four major innovation platforms while serving on IRC's AI Board Committee.
Strategic Innovation Framework: Developed comprehensive approach to innovation that balances cutting-edge technology with humanitarian principles, ensuring all innovations serve crisis-affected populations while maintaining IRC's trusted brand and ethical standards.
My role encompassed not just creative direction, but strategic thinking about how emerging technologies could enhance humanitarian impact. This required building new frameworks for responsible innovation while delivering immediate, measurable results.
Process
Platform Development Leadership
My creative leadership extended across four major innovation platforms that contributed to IRC's Fast Company recognition. Each platform required unique creative strategies while maintaining cohesive brand identity and user experience standards.
Major Platforms:
Movement Against Malnutrition: Led creative strategy for dedicated microsite after taking over from external agency. Developed comprehensive digital experience strategy resulting in 40% improvement in user engagement metrics.
Airbel Innovation Lab: Creative direction for IRC's innovation lab initiatives, translating complex research into compelling narrative and visual strategies.
Welcome.US Digital Platform: UX/UI creative leadership for refugee information platform, ensuring accessibility and cultural sensitivity across diverse user groups.
AI Integration Frameworks: Comprehensive strategy development for safe AI adoption across all creative workflows.
Digital Transformation Leadership
Beyond individual platforms, I led comprehensive digital transformation initiatives that modernized IRC's entire creative operation, from workflow optimization to global brand consistency across 40+ countries.
Timeline of Transformation:
Q1 2024: Microsoft 365 Implementation - Proposed and secured approval for enterprise Microsoft 365 features across creative teams. Conducted deep-dive analysis and presented optimization strategies for workflow enhancement.
Q2 2024: Canva Enterprise Toolkit - Implemented comprehensive Canva/IRC branded toolkit with templates for print, reports, paid media, campaigns, and presentations accessible to all IRC secure login users globally.
Q3 2024: Global Brand Standardization - Established design systems ensuring consistent branding across 40+ countries while allowing for regional market adaptations (Sweden's minimal approach vs US bold graphics).
Q4 2024: AI Integration Strategy - Joined AI Board Committee initiatives, implementing safe AI tools for creative workflows while establishing industry-leading ethical guidelines for humanitarian AI use.
Outcome
Innovation Impact
Key Achievement: "IRC's innovative approach to AI integration and digital transformation has set new standards for the humanitarian sector, demonstrating how technology can enhance rather than replace human-centered care." - Fast Company 2025
Industry Recognition & Impact
The Fast Company recognition validates IRC's innovation strategy and my leadership role in driving technological advancement within humanitarian constraints. This recognition positions IRC as the innovation leader in the non-profit sector.
This recognition opens new opportunities for thought leadership, speaking engagements, and consulting on responsible AI integration in mission-driven organizations. The work has established new industry standards for humanitarian technology adoption.
