Dr. Laurie Krom, EdD, serves as the Director of the Center for Systems Change (ICUDDR-CSC) within the International Consortium of Universities for Drug Demand Reduction (ICUDDR). In this role, she leads international initiatives to enhance substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery services through the integration of systems thinking and sustainable practices.
Dr. Krom oversees the Global Office for the International Technology Transfer Center (ITTC) Network, where she fosters global collaboration across 12 country-specific centers, driving evidence-based, culturally relevant approaches to drug demand reduction. With over 20 years of experience in grant development and health services leadership,
Dr. Krom previously co-founded the Collaborative Center to Advance Health Services at UMKC, where she guided innovative federal projects to strengthen public health outcomes across the United States. An expert in grant writing and network-building, Dr. Krom has been recognized for securing significant federal awards and advancing interorganizational networks in substance use and health care services. Dr. Krom holds degrees from Vassar College, Kansas State University, and a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Missouri.
Dr. Clancy, PhD, RGN, RMN, PGCertHE, FPH, ICAP III, is the current Director for the ICUDDR Center for Credentialing & Accreditation (ICUDDR-CCA). She is the Dean Emeritus at the Faculty of Health, Social Care and Education, Middlesex University, London, UK. She earned her doctorate from St Georges Medical School, of London, UK, and is currently registered with the Nursing Midwifery Council (NMC) as a mental health and adult nurse and has over 30 years’ experience in delivering nursing education at both undergraduate and postgraduate level, including curriculum development, specifically in the area of addiction; and was the course developer of the first Masters in co-morbidity (dual diagnosis) in Europe. In 2014 with funding from Health Education England, Dr. Clancy established My Care Academy – a knowledge building community in partnership with Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust and Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health Trust, and is currently the Project Director. Between 2020-2023 Carmel held the office of President of the International Nurses Society on Addiction (IntNSA).
Dr. Clancy was appointed as the Chair of the Research Advisory Panel (RAP) in 2022 for a new Universities UK (UUK) Task Force on Student Drug Use. This Taskforce was set up to help universities understand and address drug-use and is due to publish evidence-led sector guidance – developed with students, staff, and wider stakeholders – including recommendations that are firmly based on harm reduction, in the summer of 2024. She has written extensively in this area and in 2017 co-chaired a Public Health England working group on the nurses’ role in the treatment and recovery addiction pathways. Dr. Clancy has also served as a Member of the Advisory Council for the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD)(2002 -2011) – a Standing Committee which advises the UK Government on drug issues and policies.
In 2015 in recognition of her contribution to addiction practice, she was awarded a Fellowship by Distinction and entered onto the membership register for the UK Faculty of Public Health. She has provided training to addiction professionals throughout the world and is a member of The International Society of Substance Use Prevention and Treatment Professionals (ISSUP) and holds credentials ICAP-III from the Center for Credentialing & Accreditation (formerly GCCC).
Samitha Gunasekera is a Senior Program Officer for the ICUDDR Center for Credentialing & Accreditation (ICUDDR-CCA). She began her career with the Colombo Plan in 1998, serving as Programme Secretary for the Public Administration and Drug Advisory Programmes until 2009, when she received the “Best Employee of the Year” award. Before joining GCCC (now the Center for Credentialing & Accreditation) in 2014 as Credentialing Programme Officer, Samitha worked with the Asian Development Bank, UNOCHA, and UNDP in Sri Lanka, coordinating with government agencies to implement UN projects. For the Center for Credentialing & Accreditation, she manages the global credentialing and certification process and works with the Commission on related matters. Promoted to Senior Programme Officer (Credentialing) in 2022, she is dedicated to advancing the professionalization of the drug demand reduction workforce. Samitha holds a Bachelor of Science in Management from University College Dublin and a Master of Science in Project Management from Asia-e-University, Malaysia.
Sungjoo Park, MPH is a Program Officer for the Credentialing & Accreditation (formerly GCCC). He interned for ICUDDR this past summer, and recently joined full-time in August 2024. He has a master's degree in Public Health with a concentration in Global Health from George Mason University. He also has a dual Bachelor of Science in Public Health and Human Development from Virginia Tech. Prior to his current role, he has had clinical experience in a pediatric primary care setting as a Medical Assistant. Sungjoo currently lives in Northern Virginia about 20 minutes from Washington, D.C. in the U.S.
Social worker and consultant, specializing in the treatment and recovery of problematic drug use.
Julia holds a master's degree in Social Bioethics and Public Health.
Currently, Ms. Alvarado works as a consultant for ICUDDR (International Consortium of Universities for Drug Demand Reduction), serving as engagement coordinator for the International Technology Transfer Centers (ITTC). She collaborates with national initiatives across 13 programs that promote the incorporation and development of evidence-based practices and systems change. She has also worked as a consultant for UNODC (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime), Regional Coordinator and Trainer for Colombo Plan Latin America and the Caribbean, collaborating on the design and development of professional training programs in the region. Additionally, she has consulted on workforce development for peers and recovery partners for SENDA, Chile, and through the Cooperation Programme between Latin America, the Caribbean and the European Union on Drug Policies (COPOLAD) in Uruguay. Areas of expertise: peer-based recovery, drug treatment and recovery, implementation science, technology transfer, and systems change. She has 12 years of experience as a university professor, contributing to the training of professionals in the field of drug treatment and recovery.
Taylor Cook is an instructional designer passionate about developing and sharing resources to support the field of Substance Use Prevention and Treatment education. She has a bachelor's in Health Promotion and Education and a Master of Education degree in Instructional Design. These two worlds help her develop palatable and engaging resources for Substance Use Disorder professionals.
