Ms Shannon McCarthy

Ms. McCarthy was appointed by the IDA Board of Directors as Secretary General in October 2017. She has extensive experience working internationally and specifically with the Middle East and North Africa region, in the field of water sustainability, research and application of non-conventional water resource technologies. She has served the International Desalination Association in the role of First Vice President, Chair of the Foundation and Public Outreach Committee, and champion for the IDA Sustainable Water Resources Foundation. Prior to IDA, Ms. McCarthy, served as a Partner of United4Water, a consulting firm operating in the water, food and energy sectors and as the Deputy Center Director of the Middle East Desalination Research Center, an international intergovernmental non-profit organisation, born through the Water Working Group of the Middle East Peace Process and based in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman with Diplomatic status.

Ms. McCarthy completed an executive study program on Public Policy and Management for Infrastructure Development at John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University and holds a BA degree in International Relations from San Francisco State University.