For Immediate Release
August 20, 2020
Contact: Keri A. Potts | 860-839-3438 | potts@iwpr.org
- Key research and communications staff added, staff expansion underway
- Broad range of experts to contribute
Washington, D.C. — The Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR) has received a significant gift from Pivotal Ventures, Melinda Gates’ investment and incubation firm, to create real-world solutions to increase women’s power and influence in society. Set to launch this fall, a new research and action hub led by IWPR will bring together hundreds of researchers, advocates, policymakers, and philanthropic leaders nationwide to foster breakthrough ideas and share information that improves the lives of women.
Funding from the grant has already spurred change and growth at IWPR with a recent organizational rebrand and two key hires to support the initiative’s ambitious charge. Andrea Flynn, formerly of the Roosevelt Institute, will lead the hub, and Keri Potts, former senior communications director at ESPN, will lead media strategy and narrative change efforts. Additional hires are planned.
“Pivotal Ventures’ gift—the largest in our 33-year history—recognizes IWPR’s position on the frontlines putting forth innovative strategies and solutions to elevate the status and well-being of women in the workplace, in legislatures and in society,” said IWPR President and CEO, C. Nicole Mason, Ph.D., adding, “We’re already seeing the fruits of this partnership by attracting top talent to both further this work and to make it relevant and accessible for everyday women.”
Leadership for Bold Change
To meet the demands of this effort, Andrea Flynn has been named IWPR’s new director of action and policy, overseeing the hub’s development and efforts around strengthening institutional and organizational partnerships to produce ground-breaking research and advance bold, progressive change. Flynn is a dynamic researcher who joins IWPR from the Roosevelt Institute, where she worked for the past eight years as a fellow and director of health equity. She has a demonstrated commitment to women’s health and leadership, and intersectional research focusing on gender equity. Here for a Q+A conversation with Flynn.
Keri Potts joins IWPR as vice president, external affairs, after 17 years at ESPN where she led communications strategy for the network’s high profile college sports, owned events, and entertainment and film properties. In addition, she has extensive nonprofit experience dedicated to ending gender-based violence.
Additional communications and research hires will be made in the coming months. All job descriptions will be posted at https://iwpr.org/about/careers/.
About Institute for Women’s Policy Research
The Institute for Women’s Policy Research is the nation’s preeminent think tank committed to winning economic equity for all women and eliminating structural and institutional barriers to women’s full participation in the workforce and society.
IWPR builds knowledge and evidence to support policies that help grow women’s economic power and influence in society, close inequality gaps, and improve the economic security and well-being of families. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
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Contact: Keri A. Potts, IWPR Vice President External Affairs | 860-839-3438 | potts@iwpr.org
