CARE International appoints Sofia Sprechmann Sineiro as new Secretary General

Geneva: Today, CARE International announces that Sofia Sprechmann Sineiro will join CARE International as the new Secretary General, starting 1 June 2020.

Sofia Sprechmann Sineiro, a Uruguayan citizen, brings over 25 years of international development and humanitarian experience, having worked in various roles across CARE International since starting her career in Cambodia in 1994.  Based in Ecuador, Sprechmann Sineiro currently serves as the International Program Director at the CARE International Secretariat, having previously worked in senior programmatic roles in several contexts and countries.  

 “Sofia’s rich and expansive career at CARE, her deep knowledge and experience of the organization, and her unshakable commitment to women and girls in our most marginalized communities across the world make her the perfect fit for this important role” says Arielle de Rothschild, Chair of the CARE International Supervisory board.

“As we go through an unprecedented time in history, we are incredibly grateful to Sofia for taking up this important role.  As a woman from the global south, who is deeply committed to continuing our essential work on addressing north/south power dynamics inside and outside of CARE, we know she will bring the vision, credibility and leadership needed to navigate these challenging times today, and in the future as CARE continues to develop our 2030 vision” de Rothschild continued.

Sprechmann Sineiro led the development of CARE’s first program strategy and was integral to placing women and gender equality at the very heart of everything CARE does. As Program Director at the CARE International Secretariat, Sprechmann Sineiro has for the last eight years been responsible for leading the implementation of our program strategy worldwide, making a significant contribution to fighting poverty and inequality, and towards attaining the Sustainable Development Goals. 

“While there is a great deal of uncertainty and concern the world over, in the last 25 years I have witnessed firsthand how this remarkable organization and its talented staff work alongside communities to find smart, practical and sustainable solutions to some of the world’s most complicated challenges” says Sprechmann Sineiro. “It is an honour to be taking up this position at such a critical time.” 

With extensive experience in program design and implementation; impact measurement and evaluation; and advocacy, Sprechmann Sineiro is passionate about addressing gender inequality, having worked alongside some of the most discriminated-against and abused women to support their struggles; including domestic workers, women working in the garment sector and victims of gender-based violence.

Sprechmann Sineiro continues: “The gap between rich and poor has never been more visible as many parts of the world struggle to contain COVID-19 with limited resources to do so.  In this important role, as with all others I have served at CARE, I will continue to lead with an unshakable commitment to standing in solidarity with the world’s most vulnerable and marginalized communities.”

Sprechmann Sineiro will start as the Secretary General of CARE International as of June 1st. She replaces Lindsay Glassco who has been fulfilling the role in an interim capacity since August 2019. Glassco will be leaving CARE to take up the role of CEO of Plan International Canada.

For more information, please contact:

Clare Spurrell

Head of Global Communications, CARE International

[email protected]