As ADD International enters its next chapter, we celebrate the leadership of Mary Ann Clements and Fredrick Ouko and the transformation they helped make possible.
Honouring the Leadership Behind ADD’s Transformation.
ADD International will be saying goodbye to our two Co-CEOs, Mary Ann Clements and Fredrick Ouko, at the end of August, after five and four years respectively co-leading ADD’s transformative strategy Mtiririko. Five years ago we were a traditional INGO delivering programmes in Africa and Asia. Today we are a participatory grant maker for disability justice that puts decision-making power and resources directly into the hands of people with disabilities and their organisations in the majority world.
Mary Ann made the decision to move on earlier this year, and Fredrick has also decided the time was right for him to leave ADD. The Board is immensely grateful to both Mary Ann and Fredrick for leading ADD successfully through a major transformation.
Looking Ahead.
Going forward, the Board has decided to move to a single CEO, who will be based in the majority world. We will actively seek candidates with lived experience of disability and from Black, Asian, minority ethnic or mixed-race backgrounds. This represents a further shift of power and resources with – for the first time – no CEO based in the UK, alongside a continuing commitment that at least half of our Senior Leadership Team will always have heritage from and be based in the regions where we work.
A Message from the Co-Chairs
Vanthon Srey and Liz Sayce, Co-Chairs said:
“Mary Ann and Fred have led the organisation through major change with incredible vision, energy and commitment. The final programmes directly managed by ADD closed well in 2026; and we now look forward to building on the participatory grant making model they have created to make resources available to organisations of persons with disabilities in Africa and Asia, who know best what the priorities are and how to address them to make the most difference in people’s lives.”
Reflections from Mary Ann.
Mary Ann said:
“I came to ADD in 2021 on an interim contract to lead the organisation for nine months but agreed to stay because I was excited and passionate about what a reimagined ADD could do to contribute to thriving and diverse disability justice movements. I am proud of the fact that we have shown, together, the kind of transformation that is possible in an INGO if you really rethink who decides and how you operate. I have learnt a lot in the process from the activists we work in solidarity with and our brilliant team.
After careful reflection I have decided that, now that we have completed our transition to become a participatory grant maker, it is time for me to move on and pursue other opportunities. I have been working closely with our Trustees and Leadership Team to ensure that I leave things in good shape for the future leadership of the organisation.”
Reflections from Fredrick.
Fredrick said:
“I joined ADD in May 2022 to co-lead the transformation alongside Mary Ann, initially expecting to stay for three years. Four years later, I am proud that together we have helped set new standards in the INGO sector. Many initiatives focused on localisation or shifting power stop at consultation or strategy; we turned those principles into action through bold decisions that have made ADD a fully-fledged participatory grant maker and a leadership development hub for disability justice activists from Asia and Africa.
I am deeply proud of what our partnership with funders, Trustees, staff and the Leadership Team has achieved in a relatively short time, despite the challenges facing the sector. It is hard to step away from such promising work, especially with a 10-year strategy in place that provides a clear framework for putting resources in the hands of disability justice activists and enabling them to set their own priorities.
ADD’s best years are yet to come. But it will need new energy and perspectives to make it happen.”
Next Steps.
The Board is currently finalizing interim arrangements and will launch recruitment for a permanent CEO in September.
FIND OUT MORE
OUR STRATEGY – MTIRIRIKO
Our strategy shifts power and resources to disability justice activists and organisations across Africa and Asia. It centres leadership of people with disabilities, participatory grant-making and long-term movement building to advance disability justice.
PARTICIPATORY GRANT MAKING
Participatory grant-making is a different approach to giving out money as grants where the people receiving the money also get to say how much is given to whom, and how it is spent. Find out how we are doing this.