Biography

 Desirée M. Bartosiak has over  20 year-experience working in complex, cross-sectoral programming and leading multi-disciplinary teams at the field, regional and global levels. Her experience spans development and humanitarian aid programs in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, North America and the Middle East. Highlights of key leadership roles include: country director leading various programs through significant change management; humanitarian crisis programming in Nepal; Chief of Party in Sri Lanka focusing on post-conflict reconciliation/reconstruction, leading a $100M disaster response effort in North America and establishing ethics functions for major INGOs. 

Desiree is notably passionate about the intersection of innovation, process improvement and ethics in the vision of driving greater impact (and more joy at work!).  She is currently the Senior Director of World Vision International leading the strategy design and roll-out of operations to prevent violence and abuse against children and adults in over 100 countries.  Her work focuses on both the compliance and culture aspects that are critical for success. This cross-functional role requires her to effect a global strategy that takes into account all of the organization’s different lines of business at differentiating levels (field, HQ, etc.), gain buy-in from key internal and external stakeholders, incorporate risk management and protect the communities served. Additionally, Desirée is working with sector partners in the international aid field to support the research and advanced development of the emerging field of Safeguarding and ensure collective efforts in protecting people from harm or damage.

Desirée holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Bradley University, a Master’s degree in International Social Development from University of Sussex and a certification in non-profit management from the University of Chicago.  She is also a visiting faculty member at Emory University and sits on the board of Healthy Babies: A Georgia Milk Bank, a NGO focused on providing nutritional support and advocacy for infants in need.