Mary Jilek is the Deputy Director of Talent Management at the International Rescue Committee. In this role, she is responsible for designing and leading performance management, onboarding and professional development processes for the organization of about 12,000 employees. Previously Mary was based in the Middle East where she coordinated the development of the International Rescue Committee's Syria Crisis response strategies. Prior to joining the IRC, Mary worked in the field of education in Japan and Uganda. During her nearly four years as instructor of International Studies and English at Immaculate Heart College in Kagoshima, Japan, she chaired faculty committees on program development and curriculum design. Later, research for her Master’s degree brought Mary to Uganda, where she conducted assessments and educational initiatives on household water treatment and safe storage (HWTS) and non-formal education. Since 2012 Mary has been the education advisor to a community-based organization in Uganda, which opened its first primary school in 2014. She holds a Masters Degree in International Educational Development from Teachers College, Columbia University.