GCRD Welcomes Croshelle Harris as Director of Strategic Projects and Partnerships
Ms Croshelle Harris
Director of Strategic Projects & Partnerships at GCRD
LONDON, UK – November 3, 2025 - The Global Centre for Rehumanising Democracy (GCRD) is delighted to announce the appointment of Ms. Croshelle Harris as Director of Strategic Projects and Partnerships, a role that reflects both her distinguished career in global development and her passion for building bridges that drive meaningful change.
A Retired U.S. Foreign Service Officer, Croshelle brings over 25 years of experience overseeing U.S. foreign assistance strategies and multi-million-dollar development programs across Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, and Eastern Europe. Her work has focused on expanding access to education and training, strengthening community capacity to mitigate conflict, and countering extremism and malign influence in some of the world's most complex regions.
In her new role, Croshelle will nurture GCRD's growing network of institutional partners and advance key initiatives such as the Democracy Discourse Index (DDI), our groundbreaking effort to measure the moral and informational health of democracies through real-time monitoring and analysis of digital discourse.
"Truly excited to welcome Croshelle Harris as the first member of the senior leadership team at the Global Centre for Rehumanising Democracy," said Dr. Jacob Udo-Udo Jacob, Founding Executive Director of GCRD, in a post on LinkedIn. "Croshelle brings the keen strategic lens we need at this formative moment—but also a nurturing presence and a rare ability to see systems and souls together."
Dr. Jacob continued: "Across four continents, Croshelle has overseen programs that build people, strengthen institutions, and open hearts. Now she brings that same depth and clarity to GCRD's mission to rehumanise democracy and restore moral imagination to leadership, technology, and civic life. I couldn't be more grateful to have her walking this path with me."
Croshelle's journey to GCRD reflects the power of meaningful networks and remaining open to unexpected opportunities. "When USAID was dismantled earlier this year, I decided to settle into retired life. The universe had other plans," Croshelle reflected in a LinkedIn post that has now drawn high engagement. "Who could have imagined that engaging with Jacob Udo-Udo Jacob and Dr. Margee Ensign during my time in Nigeria would lead to future collaboration? Networks can be powerful."
She continued: "I knew for sure that I did not have the wherewithal to enter the job applicant pool, but I remained receptive and prepared anyway. I am honored to be invited to join the Global Center for Rehumanizing Democracy. This is a superb 'pivot' and opportunity to use the experience and knowledge that I have gained thus far. I also cannot think of a better endeavor to focus on at this critical time for democracy."
Beyond her diplomatic career, Croshelle brings a deeply human lens to her leadership. With over a decade of studying yoga and the mind-body connection, she believes that the same balance and awareness that transform individuals can also strengthen communities and societies—a philosophy that aligns perfectly with GCRD's contemplative approach to democratic renewal.
As GCRD's first senior leadership appointment, Croshelle's arrival marks a significant milestone in the organization's growth. Her expertise in building partnerships across diverse cultural contexts and her commitment to programs that simultaneously address institutional capacity and human flourishing position her ideally to advance GCRD's three-pillar approach: Trust Intelligence, Contemplative Leadership Formation, and System Renewal.
Please join us in giving Croshelle a warm welcome to the GCRD family.
