Jenny Russell
About Jenny Russell
Jenny Russell serves as the Senior Director of Development Policy & Advocacy at Save the Children, a position she has held since 2012 in Washington, D.C. She has extensive experience in advocacy and policy development, having worked with various organizations including Habitat for Humanity International and the Center for American Progress.
Work at Save the Children
Jenny Russell serves as the Senior Director of Development Policy & Advocacy at Save the Children, a position she has held since 2012. In this role, she oversees advocacy efforts focused on public financial accountability and good governance. Her work involves coordinating initiatives that aim to improve the effectiveness of development policies and ensure that children's rights are prioritized in advocacy efforts.
Previous Experience in Advocacy
Before joining Save the Children, Jenny Russell held several key positions in advocacy. She was the Managing Director of Advocacy at Habitat for Humanity International from 2006 to 2009, where she facilitated the launch of the organization's first advocacy campaign. Additionally, she served as Advocacy Director at the Center for American Progress from 2009 to 2011, where she helped design and implement advocacy initiatives focused on Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Education and Expertise
Jenny Russell earned a Master’s degree in International Affairs from Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) between 1997 and 1999. Prior to that, she completed a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at Whitman College from 1986 to 1991. Her educational background provides her with a strong foundation in policy analysis and advocacy strategies.
Career Background
Jenny Russell's career includes diverse roles in various organizations. She worked as an Advocacy Consultant for Care USA in 2006 and held positions at Catholic Relief Services as both an Advocacy Strategist from 1999 to 2004 and an Advocacy Consultant from 2004 to 2006. She also served as a Consultant for the United Nations Development Programme in 1998. Her extensive experience spans over two decades in the field of advocacy and development.
Achievements in Advocacy Initiatives
Throughout her career, Jenny Russell has implemented significant advocacy initiatives. At Habitat for Humanity International, she developed a grants program for advocacy pilot projects and implemented an online advocacy program that included training for 1,500 Habitat-affiliated organizations in the U.S. and 90 organizations abroad. Her contributions have advanced advocacy efforts in various contexts.