Kelley McCreery Bunkers is a child protection and care reform specialist with 35 years of experience designing, implementing, and leading large-scale initiatives across more than 30 countries. She has collaborated with UNICEF, bilateral development agencies, private foundations, and civil society organisations to strengthen child protection systems and advance safe, nurturing family-based care. Her work is grounded in child rights and is designed around participatory and practical processes.
Kelley brings expertise in child protection policy analysis; design and evaluation of social services for children; family-based alternative care and adoption; case management systems; and social service workforce strengthening. Her work translates complex reform agendas into actionable strategies anchored in processes that centre children, families, and frontline workers, integrating strengths and local expertise. Her work bridges child protection, HIV and other adversities, violence prevention, and care reform, with a focus on addressing intersecting risks faced by children and families.
Kelley has produced peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and over 100 technical documents. She is a contributing member of several global working groups and serves as a Senior Fellow at the Georgetown Collaborative for Global Children’s Issues. She holds a Master’s degree in Child Rights and is currently based in Costa Rica.