Masters of Scale After devastating aid cuts, Mercy Corps keeps fighting, with Tjada D’Oyen McKenna
Sep 23, 2025
Tjada D’Oyen McKenna, CEO of Mercy Corps, leads her team through significant challenges following severe U.S. aid cuts that jeopardized two-thirds of their programs. She shares the urgent measures they've taken to ensure safety and operational continuity in crisis zones. With Gaza in turmoil, she discusses the harsh realities faced by field staff and the emotional toll of leadership. Tjada delves into reimagining impact with limited resources and emphasizes the importance of resilience, empathy, and community support during turbulent times.
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Sudden Aid Freeze Inauguration Shock
- The halted USAID orders arrived the Friday after inauguration and Mercy Corps had to stop work immediately.
- Tjada D'Oyen McKenna described shock, missed calls, and scrambling to tell teams to halt operations safely.
Shutting Programs Under Pressure
- Mercy Corps had to close country offices, consolidate regions, and responsibly shut down unrecoverable programs.
- The team focused first on staff and community safety while navigating diverse labor laws across 40 countries.
Aid Architecture Has Fundamentally Changed
- Mercy Corps expects the aid landscape won't return to its previous scale and must reimagine its role.
- Demonization and misinformation about aid have compounded the operational impact beyond funding cuts.