Shannon K. McCarthy

Ms. McCarthy has served as the Secretary General of the IDA since November 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 advanced water treatment technologies. She has served the International Desalination Association in the volunteer role of First Vice President, Chair of the Foundation and Public Outreach Committee, and is the President of the Board of the IDA Sustainable Water Resources Foundation. Prior to joining IDA as Secretary General, Ms. McCarthy, co-founded 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 intergovernmental non-profit organization, born through the Water Working Group of the Middle East Peace Process and based in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman with Diplomatic status.