Kelsey Lemon has worked in the international development and humanitarian sector for almost 20 years, specializing in partnership management and capacity strengthening initiatives. She has managed projects and programs spanning from child protection, livelihoods, private-sector engagement, and organizational capacity building in more than 20 countries in Africa, Asia and the Americas.
Kelsey first joined the Canadian Red Cross (CRC) in January 2016 as National Society Development and Partnership Advisor, responsible for supporting global capacity strengthening programs, and working to improve partnership management practices at the CRC. In 2019, Kelsey led the development of the CRC Localization Approach, to transform and modernize how CRC supports and enables local partners to lead humanitarian action in their respective contexts. In June 2020, Kelsey moved into the role of Senior Director, International Cooperation and Programs (formerly Global Programs), leading the portfolio of international recovery and long-term capacity strengthening programs. Kelsey has worked with the team on strategies to adapt to working in a global pandemic context, to support the integration of our domestic and international emergency capacities and to continue to evolve our ways of working internationally to reflect our commitment to localization.
In the role of Vice-President, International Cooperation and Programs Kelsey will continue to evolve and strengthen our international relationships and presence and our support to the Movement and National Societies. This involves supporting the management of CRC’s relations and partnerships with members of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement including colleagues in other National Societies, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC); promoting humanitarian diplomacy, delivering high quality programs and services interventions to people in need, and supporting the strengthening and capacity development of the Movement as a whole and particularly National Societies.
Born in Victoria, BC, Kelsey now resides in Ottawa and enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons.