During her time, Alphonsine has led WRW through numerous challenges, including the Covid-19 pandemic, the cost-of-living crisis, and a series of cruel and punitive legislation that threatened the very right to seek safety in the UK.

We extend our deep gratitude to Alphonsine for her strong leadership, warmth and kindness, and wish her all the best in her future. As we enter the new year, we’re delighted to announce that our Deputy Director, Andrea Vukovic, and our Head of Grassroots, Isabel Young, will lead WRW as Co-Directors on an interim basis.

You can read Alphonsine’s reflections on her time at Women for Refugee Women here.

Alphonsine Kabagabo says:

After four years as the Director of Women for Refugee Women, I have decided that it is time to move on. It has been an honour and privilege to lead an organisation that supports and advocates for women seeking asylum in the UK – a cause very close to my heart. I am immensely grateful to have had the opportunity to work alongside such committed colleagues, trustees, and volunteers. Together, we have achieved remarkable milestones.

Above all, my greatest source of pride is working closely with my colleagues to ensure that the women we support are at the centre of everything we do. Their voices and needs have always guided our work.

Leadership transitions always bring change, but I am confident that the foundation we’ve built together will continue to support the organisation’s growth and success. I’m thrilled to pass the baton to two of my colleagues, Andrea Vukovic, our Deputy Director, and Isabel Young, our Head of Grassroots, who will step in as interim Co-Directors. Together, they bring a wealth of experience and expertise that will enable WRW to continue thriving. 

I look forward to supporting the WRW’s continued success in new ways and witnessing the amazing things yet to come. 

Andrea Vukovic and Isabel Young, Co-Directors from January 2025, say:

We look forward to leading Women for Refugee Women from the New Year, following in the footsteps of our current Director, Alphonsine, who has strengthened the organisation with her passion, vision and dedication over the last four years.

As a feminist organisation, a co-Directorship that draws on individual strengths, experiences and relies on joint decision-making to deliver a shared mission, is the right way forward for Women for Refugee Women’s next chapter. Over the next year, Isabel will continue to lead our grassroots programmes, delivering a holistic support model which enables refugee women to rebuild their lives on their own terms. Andrea will continue to oversee our advocacy and campaigns work, maximising opportunities for change and securing positive reform to the asylum system under the new Government. As co-Directors, we will develop strong operational practices and implement our organisation’s new strategy for 2025-28.

Together, and with the backing of a talented and committed staff team of women, we will ensure Women for Refugee Women reaches its full potential in supporting women to thrive and achieving systemic change. We look forward to working more closely with our network, supporters, funders and partners in order to achieve this. 

Rachel Krys, chair of trustees for Women for Refugee Women, says:

On behalf of all of the trustees of Women for Refugee Women, I would like to take a moment to express our deep gratitude to Alphonsine Kabagabo, who has been an inspirational leader of the organisation for the last 4 years but is now leaving for new challenges.

Alphonsine came into post in the middle of the covid pandemic, taking over from our founder, and has been instrumental in supporting the organisation to emerge even stronger, shaping the growth of our team and set a new strategic direction set in 2021. Through her leadership, vision, and dedication, the organisation has achieved remarkable milestones, and we are incredibly thankful for the impact she has made. We wish Alphonsine all the best in her future endeavours and look forward to building on her legacy.

We are also delighted to introduce a new interim leadership structure. Please join me in welcoming our job-sharing interim Co-Directors, Andrea Vukovic and Isabel Young. This innovative leadership model will allow us to benefit from the combined expertise, experience, and vision of both Andrea and Isabel, who together bring a wealth of experience fresh perspectives to Women for Refugee Women.

We are confident that under the leadership of Andrea and Isabel, Women for Refugee Women will continue to thrive, innovate, and meet the evolving needs of our community. Please join us in welcoming them both to their interim new roles in the New Year.