As Chief of Staff to the CEO of Mercy Corps, Desiree Pipkins has dedicated much of her career to driving positive social change and lifting up people — domestically and globally — who are working to make a positive impact in the world. She previously served as Interim Deputy Chief Operating Officer and led the successful restructure of the operation functions across the organization to increase efficiency and effectiveness.

Prior to Mercy Corps, Desiree was a Business Development lead for the US Government accounts at Palantir Technologies Inc., where she oversaw civil and military accounts, aligning operational strategy with day-to-day project implementation. Earlier in her career, she served in the Obama Administration as a political appointee. Her government service began in the Office of White House Counsel, where she provided legal and archival support. She concluded her government tenure in the Department of Energy as Chief of Staff to the Assistant Secretary of International Affairs and as the International Advisor to the Deputy Secretary of Energy.

She has had the privilege of serving on three presidential transition teams. Her career has also included positions as an Election Observer in two long-term missions with the National Democratic Institute in Egypt and Nigeria, and as the Research Director at the NAACP Legal Defense Fund working on domestic civil rights matters.

Desiree has a Bachelor of Arts from Oberlin College.