Geneva: Today, CARE International announces that Caroline Kende-Robb will join CARE International as the new Secretary General, starting August 2018.
Kende-Robb brings over 30 years leadership and management experience from working across the development, political and business sectors. She is currently a Senior Fellow at the Africa Centre for Economic Transformation, a pan African economic policy institute that provides research and policy support to develop economies, reduce poverty and improve livelihoods for all Africans. Kende-Robb has worked as a chief advisor to Rt. Hon. Gordon Brown for The Education Commission, and previously with Kofi Annan as the Executive Director at the African Progress Panel; a unique multisector policy and research organization with high-level political access.
“Caroline’s remarkable career achievements to date, her track record in building networks and coalitions to progress positive change, as well as her intellectual weight and deep understanding of the developing world undoubtedly make her an excellent fit for this role” says Louise Fréchette, Chair of the CARE International Supervisory Board. “We are excited about the fresh perspective she will bring at this important juncture in CARE’s history”
Kende-Robb also worked at the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) as a senior manager in the regions of Africa, Europe and Asia and the Pacific. She was the first Social Development Advisor recruited by the Fund with a mandate of introducing a poverty perspective into the IMFs macroeconomic programs and policy dialogue. Kende-Robb started her career in the business retail sector, and has lived and worked extensively in Gambia.
“It has been an honour to lead CARE through these last six months, and I am absolutely delighted to be handing the torch over to someone with such extensive expertise and caliber” says Laurie Lee, interim Secretary General who took over the post following the departure of Wolfgang Jamann at the end of 2017. Jamann left CARE to become the Executive Director of the International Civil Society Centre. Says Lee: “Caroline’s passion for women’s empowerment the world over is so aligned with CARE’s values, and her appointment couldn’t come at a more important time as CARE continues to advocate for a more equal world for women everywhere”.
Kende-Robb is a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Economic Growth and is a Panel Member on the Wildlife Justice Commission. She has been widely published, and holds a BA (hons) in Geography from Liverpool University, and an MSc in Social Policy from the London School of Economics.
“Today we live in a world of significant shifts and great uncertainty”, says Kende-Robb. ”I believe, however, that these global challenges can also be opportunities. With its committed and professional staff, and its deep understanding of the significant role women play in reducing poverty the world over, CARE is uniquely placed to make a significant contribution to reducing inequality and achieving social justice; I very much look forward to being a part of that journey”
Kende-Robb will start as the Secretary General of CARE International mid-August. She replaces Laurie Lee, who will return to his permanent role as National Director and CEO of CARE International UK.
For more information, please contact:
Clare Spurrell
Head of Global Communications, CARE International
[email protected]