VOICE Founders

Read: The History of VOICE

About Mendy Marsh:

Mendy Marsh is a transformative leader in the global humanitarian sector, dedicated to advancing the rights, security, and leadership of women and girls in crisis settings. With master’s degrees in both Public Health and Social Work from Columbia University, Mendy has applied her extensive expertise to some of the most pressing challenges in humanitarian aid.

Her distinguished career includes pivotal work at UNICEF, where she led the Global Violence Against Women and Girls in Emergencies portfolio. During her tenure, she spearheaded groundbreaking initiatives, training over 3,500 humanitarian actors across 18 countries to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls. Her efforts have reshaped policies, raised millions in funding, and driven the creation of some of the most seminal and innovative tools and strategies in the field that support women and girls in conflict and disaster contexts.

As the co-founder and Executive Director of VOICE, Mendy continues her mission to amplify the voices of women and girls, ensuring that their leadership and needs are at the heart of crisis responses. She has made a significant impact by collaborating with UN entities, NGOs, and research organizations, leading the way in gender-responsive humanitarian aid.

A thought leader in her field, Mendy has published widely on reproductive health and the prevention of sexual violence in conflict settings. Her insights have been featured in Business Insider, Ms. Magazine, The Hill, Newsweek, Madam Policy, CNN, and Foreign Policy, solidifying her as a key voice in the fight for gender equality in humanitarian work.

About Dr. Emma Fulu, PhD:

Dr. Emma Fulu is a globally recognized expert in gender equality and violence prevention, dedicated to creating a world where women and girls live free from violence. She holds a PhD in Gender Studies from the University of Melbourne, and her academic foundation has propelled her into leadership roles across the humanitarian and gender sectors.

Emma's extensive career includes managing the $25 million global program, *What Works to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls*, while based in South Africa. This initiative has been instrumental in shaping evidence-based solutions for preventing violence worldwide. Prior to this, she worked on the United Nations Multi-Country Study on Men and Violence, where she further honed her expertise in understanding and addressing the root causes of gender-based violence.

As the co-founder of VOICE and Executive Director of The Equality Institute, Emma continues her groundbreaking work to prevent violence against women and girls. Her efforts focus on driving systemic change through research, advocacy, and strategic partnerships, positioning her as a thought leader in the gender equality space.

Emma's research and insights have been published widely in esteemed academic journals like The Lancet and in mainstream platforms like the Huffington Post UK. She is also the author of Domestic Violence in Asia: Globalization, Gender, and Islam in the Maldives, a critical examination of the intersections between gender, culture, and violence.