Justine Desmarais (she/her)

I believe that every person should enjoy the rights and benefits of health, information, bodily autonomy and self-determination that I’ve been so privileged to have in my life.”

–Justine Desmarais

Senior Director of Partnerships & Operations

Justine Desmarais (she/her) is the Senior Director of Partnerships and Operations for the Universal Access Project. She has championed public health and human rights for over 25 years. In her current role, Justine has helped UAP mobilize over $20 million in financial and technical support for advocates of global SRHRJ.

She previously worked as the Women’s and Perinatal Health Program Director at the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs in Washington, DC, where she led a federally funded capacity-building and advocacy program for state directors of maternal, child and family health. Justine also served as a Peace Corps volunteer in rural El Salvador following that country’s decade-long civil war and later helped found Women of Peace Corps Legacy, a volunteer-led nonprofit that promotes lifelong public service to benefit women and girls worldwide.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology and women’s studies from Smith College and a Master of Public Health in global health from Yale University. Outside of work, Justine spends time volunteering with the Maryland Medical Reserve Corps, leading her local Toastmasters club and watching her kids grow up way too fast.

Our Team

The Universal Access Project is powered by professionals with a common passion for advancing global sexual and reproductive health, rights and justice.