Board members

Board member

Hon. Farah Sheikh Abdulkadir is the current Federal Minister of Education, Culture and Higher Education of Somalia. With an overall 30+ years of experience, Hon Abdulkadir has been serving the government leadership for over 10 years. Prior to taking this role, he has served two terms as a federal parliamentarian, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs in 2015 and as State Minister of Somalia Presidency.

Outside of the government sector, he has also served as the Advisor to the Direct Aid, Kuwait and the Country Director of Africa Muslim Agency.

He earned a master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) from Eastern and Southern Africa Management Institute (ESAMI) Arusha, Tanzania in collaboration with Maastricht School of Management, in Netherlands. He also has a degree in sharia and Law from International Islamic University, in Islamabad Pakistan.

Alternate Board member

Ms. Carmelita Rita Namashulua is currently the Minister of Education and Human Development of Mozambique. She was Minister of State Administration and Civil Service from 2015 to 2020, and Minister of State Administration between 2010 and 2015. Previously, she served as Deputy Minister of State Administration between 2005 and 2010.

Throughout her professional career, she has always worked in the city of Maputo. She was a physics teacher at Josina Machel Secondary School between 1984 and 1996. She was also the Physics subject delegate at the same school between 1985 and 1987, and Pedagogical Director between 1998 and 2001. Outside of her teaching career, she was the Coordinator of Support Programs for Vulnerable Women in the Office of the First Lady, from 1994 to 2001.

Board member

Youssouf Tahir Ahmat is a senior executive and international expert in human resources planning and management. He has successively held senior positions in the education sector, and has 20 years' experience in the field. He has also a proven track record at regional and international level in the field of education, notably with the Global Partnership for Education, UNESCO and UNHCR.

Alternate Board member

In 1996, Moustapha Mohamed Mahamoud, then a young graduate with a master's degree in Geography from the UFR of Human Sciences in Poitiers, returned home, full of dynamism and projects to put himself at the service of his country. He began his career at the Ministry of National Education as a History-Geography teacher until 2004.

At the same time, during the 2003-2004 school year, he provided tutoring to the new university center of Djibouti.

From 2004, he moved up the administrative ladder by being promoted to principal-deputy head of establishment then principal. Roles that he will successively assume in three middle education colleges, while training, for the sake of efficiency, in human resources management (2008-2009) and school mediation (2010-2011).

Thanks to his managerial qualities and his integrity, he became, in 2013, head of department at the general directorate of education. He continues his rise as director of sector monitoring and foresight within the general directorate of technical education and vocational training. And, he was appointed minister in 2016.

Board member

Dr. Nasir Sani-Gwarzo is the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, having served in the same capacity at Nigeria’s Ministry of Police Affairs from September 2023 to July 2024, where he supported ongoing programs, revisited abandoned projects and also charted a new course for deploying new strategies for crime control, data gathering and analysis. He embarked on improved coordination across all policing stakeholders and other sister security organizations within the country to ensure that the various elements of crime control and peace promotion are more effective and efficient.

He also served as the Permanent Secretary of several ministries, including Federal Ministry of Industries, Trade and Investment (December 2019 – August 2021) Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources (August 2021 - April, 2022) and the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development (April, 2022 - September, 2023).

Dr. Sani-Gwarzo is a recipient of several merit awards, recognitions and honors for academic, leadership and professional excellence.

Alternate Board member

As Permanent Secretary, Louis Moses Mendy is the Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education. He provides direction, guidance and advises the Hon. Minister on policy issues. He supervises all staff of the ministry with support from his Deputy Permanent Secretaries and Directors.

Board member

Honourable Dr. Ismail Shafeeu is the Minister of Education in the Maldives. With a Ph.D. from the University of Durham and a Master's Degree from the University of Malaya, he has played key roles in shaping the nation's educational landscape. From his early days as a Chemistry teacher to serving as the Deputy Minister of Education, Dr. Ismail’s career is marked by a commitment to quality education. During his tenure as the Deputy Minister of Education he played a key role in education policy formulation. His contributions extend to the higher education sector as well, where he served as the Dean of the Islamic University Research Centre. A recipient of prestigious awards such as the Commonwealth Scholarship Award from Commonwealth Scholarship Commission/England (2015) and the Award of Scholastic Achievement from University Malaya/Malaysia (2011), Dr. Ismail brings a wealth of experience and innovation to his role, ensuring a transformative impact on education in the Maldives.

Alternate Board member

Wayne Mendiola was born on April 17, 1974 in Pohnpei, FSM. He graduated from Nett Elementary School in Pohnpei, FSM in 1988 with a diploma. He then went on to Xavier High School in Chuuk, FSM and graduated in 1992 with a high school diploma. He then attended College of Micronesia-FSM from 1992 to 1995 an earn an Associate Degree in Liberal Arts and a Third Year Certificate in Teaching.

He started his career 1995 as a school vice principal at Pohnpei Catholic School for 2 years. He then became the principal of Pohnpei Catholic School from 1997 to 2003. While he was the school principal he also took classes at University of Guam and received his Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education in 2000.

In 2003 he started working for the Department of Health Education and Social Affairs office at FSM National Government as the School Health Program Coordinator. In 2007, he then became the Postsecondary Administrator under the Department of Education at the National Government until 2013.

While he was serving as the Postsecondary Administrator, he attended classes online at the San Diego States University (SDSU) and graduated in 2011 with a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership.

From 2013 until today he is the Assistant Secretary of the FSM Department of Education. He is currently the Acting Secretary for the FSM Department of Education. He is currently the Chairman of FSM National Commission for UNESCO; the Chairman of the FSM Nutrition Council, Member of the Pacific Board of Education Quality (PBEQ), member of the Pacific Heads of Education System (PHES).

He is also the a Steering Committee member for the Pacific Island Literacy and Numeracy Assessment (PILNA).

Board member

Alternate Board member

Dan Perciun took on the role of Minister in July 2023. From 2019 to 2023, he served as Deputy and Head of the Parliament Commission for Social Protection, Health, and Family. During this time, Mr. Perciun handled a range of tasks, from crafting laws to overseeing programs and conducting evaluations. He actively supported the reform of the social benefits and pensions system in the country.

Since 2014, he's been deeply involved in various activities, such as evaluating the National Strategy in Agriculture 2020 and implementing child-centered education in Moldova. In his stint as Head of the E-transformation Department at the Ministry of Education (2014-2015), he worked on digital competence standards and educational projects in Information Technologies.

As the Minister of Education and Research, Dan Perciun is pushing for reforms to improve education quality and reduce gaps between rural and urban areas. One of his main goals is to establish a network of regional model schools, making education more accessible for vulnerable children.

His priorities also include promoting inclusive education, maintaining integrity, improving teacher's training, and modernizing higher education through digitalization and internationalization. Dan Perciun's dedication to these goals reflects his commitment to making positive changes in education.

Board member

Honorable Esponda is Minister of Education in Honduras. He graduated as an Outdoor Education Teacher in 2007 and, in 2010, graduated as a Professor of Secondary Education in Social Sciences at the Universidad Pedagógica Nacional Francisco Morazán.

He also has a Diploma in Higher Education obtained in 2012 and is currently completing his Master's Degree in Social and Cultural History at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras.

Alternate Board member

Priya Manickchand embarked on a remarkable career as a politician and advocate for children and women's rights. In 2006, she was elected to Parliament, assuming the role of Minister of Human Services and Social Security.

With a steadfast commitment to combating violence against women and children, she launched a nationwide campaign against sexual violence, leading to groundbreaking legislation and the establishment of a Childcare and Protection Agency.

Through her efforts, she decentralized Legal Aid services, ensuring access to justice for the vulnerable. Recognized for her contributions, she received an Honorary Doctorate from Lesley University in 2014.

Her dedication continued as she served as Minister of Education, initiating educational reforms, promoting universal education, and implementing innovative programs to enhance math and English proficiency.

Board member

At the National School of Administration, 2006-2008; appointed and confirmed as Foreign Affairs Advisor, April 1, 2008; at the central administration, editor (Economic and Financial Affairs), 2008-2009; editor, head of office, head of the G8/G20 task force (Global Economy and Development Strategies), 2009-2012; first secretary, then political advisor at the Permanent Representation of France to the European Union in Brussels, 2012-2015; assigned to the European External Action Service as a political advisor in Brussels, 2015-2017; political advisor in Washington, 2017-2021; at the central administration, deputy director of development (Sustainable Development), 2021-2023; integrated into the State Administrators Corps, January 1, 2023; deputy chief of staff (Office of the Secretary of State), 2023-2024; services in central administration, January-April 2024; project manager at the ministerial delegation for senior management (Human Resources), April-September 2024; deputy director (Global Affairs Directorate), September 2024.

Alternate Board member

Annalena Flury-Angelotti is responsible for the Swiss engagement in global education, with expertise in education financing and innovative financing, system governance, inclusion and equity as well as and human rights education. She also represents Switzerland in the International Advisory Committee of the research project Innovative Financing for Education to LNOB.

Ms. Flury-Angelotti has more than 12 years of experience in international development cooperation and humanitarian aid. She has held different positions in Switzerland and abroad managing programs in education, health, human rights and evaluation. She has several years of field experience primarily in West and East Africa including fragile contexts such as Chad, where she was responsible for the education portfolio.

Prior to SDC, Annalena Flury-Angelotti was working at the Office of Gender Equality at the University of Bern and prior to that she served as a Program Manager at the Center for Human Rights Education in Lucerne. She started her career as a journalist and communication expert.

Ms. Flury-Angelotti holds a MA in Political Science, Political Economy and Social Anthropology as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Mass Media / Communication Research.

Board member

Line Friberg Nielsen has more than 15 years of experience from multilateral and non-governmental organizations, government entities and consultancies. She has several years of field experience, primarily from East and West Africa including fragile contexts such as Liberia.

She now holds the position as Chief Technical Advisor in the department for Migration, Stabilization and Fragility, and is the lead on Danish engagement in global education including with the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) and Education Cannot Wait (ECW).

Prior to her current position, she served as Senior Policy Advisor with Save the Children Denmark. Prior to joining Save the Children she was a Policy Officer with the UK Mission to the UN in New York, and before that she was with UNFPA for a number of years.

Ms. Friberg Nielsen holds an MA degree in Communication and a BA degree in Development Studies.

Alternate Board member

Helena Reuterswärd is a Senior Programme Officer Education at Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) at the unit for Global Social Sustainable Development, department of International Organisations and Policy Support (INTEM) in Stockholm. In 2019-2023, she was Sida’s Senior Policy Specialist for Education. She has a long field experience coordinating Sweden’s education support in Tanzania including being GPE’s grant agent 2015-2019. Also, she has been working with social development including health, human rights, democracy and methods with CSOs, UNHCR and Sida in Peru, Chile, Bolivia and Nicaragua. Helena Reuterswärd holds Bachelor of Science in Public Administration from Umeå University in Sweden.

Board member

Barbara has over 25 years of experience in the public service and is known for achieving results, mobilizing teams, and being a strong communicator. She has served as an executive in a number of government departments including Service Canada as the Director General responsible for the delivery of Canada’s two largest statutory programs (Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security) and as Senior Director at Indigenous Services responsible for education programming.

At the Public Health Agency of Canada, as Executive Director, Barbara led governance and supported senior leadership in planning and reporting. And having spent the majority of her public sector career at Global Affairs Canada (and the Canadian International Development Agency), Barbara currently holds the position of Director General (Social and Economic Programs) and previously held the position of Director General (Food Security and Environment) and multiple Director level positions including Multilateral programming (strategic planning and analysis); Central America and Cuba (bilateral country programs); and Southern Africa (bilateral country programs).

Alternate Board member

Judith Herbertson, Head of the Girls’ Education Department, FCDO, UK Government joined the former Department for International Development in 2003, and has worked in Ethiopia, Sudan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.

She currently heads the Girls’ Education Department at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Before joining the civil service, Judith worked in secondary education in the UK for 17 years.

Board member

Merete Lundemo has served for more than 35 years at various diplomatic postings in Europe, Latin America, Asia and Africa as well as at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Oslo. She was Norway’s Special Representative for the Sahel, Ambassador to Abidjan, to Dhaka, and to Ethiopia before assuming her post as Special Envoy for Education in Crisis and Conflict in 2022.

Her experience also includes working as a special adviser to the President of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and international assignments as an election observer.

Alternate Board member

Ms. Al Ghadiri, is UAE diplomat, joined the foreign service of the UAE in 2013. She is passionate about supporting education in the partner countries, and is willing to take additional responsibility in the PILC representing Donor 4 and the UAE.

Ms. Al Ghadiri has been managing and representing the UAE Development Aid sector in Education and Health for more than three years; been the Technical Advisor to the UAE Representative in GPE- recently became the UAE Representative in Donor 4 group.

Ms. Al Ghadiri comes from multilateral cooperation background; Is currently Senior Specialist, under the Development International Cooperation sector in the UAE MoFA. Ms. Al Ghadiri has master's degree in Humanitarian and Development Cooperation, and master's degree in Cultural and Post-colonial Studies.

She speaks English, Arabic, and French.

Board member

Mr. Seychell is a graduate in chemistry and pharmaceutical technology. He occupied the post of Head of Directorate for Foodstuffs and Chemicals at the Malta Standards Authority between 2001 and 2006, and that of Director of Environment Protection at the Malta Environment and Planning Authority between 2006 and 2011.

He was appointed Deputy Director General for Health and Consumers at the European Commission in March 2011.

Between 2014 and 2020 he was Deputy Director-General for Health in the Health and Food Safety Directorate-General (SANTE), responsible for directorates dealing with public health and health systems and products, covering a number of policy areas including health security, health systems, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, tobacco control and digital health.

He also represented the Commission on the Management Board of the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) between 2011 and 2020. He was appointed Deputy Director General responsible for Directorates G & R (Human Development, Migration, Governance and Peace (G), and Resources (R)) in DG INTPA in June 2020.

Alternate Board member

Dr. Heike Kuhn is a lawyer with more than 30 years of professional experience in foreign and development policy, human and social rights, strategies, budget, human resources management and change processes, communicating in six languages.

She studied in Germany, Great Britain, Italy and the former Soviet Union, having gained extensive working experience in Bonn, Berlin, Brussels, Geneva and New York and several developing countries when negotiating (e.g. Cotonou Agreement, 2030 Agenda).

Dr. Kuhn was posted to Rome from 2007 to 2011 as first female Board Executive Director to IFAD, also in charge of WFP. She is interested in a more equal, inclusive and sustainable world for all, striving for recovering better and more equal after COVID-19.

Board member

Natasha de Marcken serves as Deputy Assistant Administrator within the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Bureau for Inclusive Growth, Partnerships, and Innovation. She oversees USAID's Center for Education and is the Acting Senior Coordinator of U.S. International Basic Education Assistance across U.S. government agencies and departments.

A member of USAID’s Senior Foreign Service, Ms. de Marcken most recently served as the Director of USAID’s Office of Southern African Affairs and previously as Deputy Mission Director for USAID/Southern Africa. With over 20 years of experience in international education, Ms. de Marcken was the Director of USAID’s Office of Education from 2012-2015, leading strategic direction, budget planning, and results reporting for USAID’s global Education Strategy including programs in over forty countries.

During this time, she represented the United States on the Global Partnership for Education Board of Directors. She has led USAID education offices in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Pakistan, Uganda, Mali, and Guinea. Before joining USAID, Ms. de Marcken was a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher trainer in Madagascar and a high school teacher in the United States.

She is a graduate of Princeton University and received her Master’s degree in Education Policy and Administration from the University of Minnesota.

Alternate Board member

Rhona is also Director of the Global Education and Scholarships team. She previously worked as Director Micronesia, Australia’s Deputy High Commissioner for Tonga, led DFAT’s portfolio of Pacific climate change work (2014-17).

Rhona has worked on bilateral relations between Australia and Melanesian partners – on forestry and climate change in Papua New Guinea, a posting at Australia’s diplomatic mission in the Solomon Islands, and law and justice and health partnerships in Vanuatu.

Rhona holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Environmental Science with Honors from The University of Queensland and a Master of Forestry from the Australian National University.

Board member

Ms. Yona Nestel is Plan International’s Education Policy and Advocacy Lead, with nearly 20 years of experience in education programing, advocacy and policy.

Much of her career has been spent in developing countries working with CSOs and ministries of education on issues including gender equality and inclusion, early childhood education (ECD), and education in emergencies (EiE).

Yona has actively contributed to the CSO 1 constituency since 2011 and has had the honor of serving as CSO 1 alternate representative alongside Kira Boe since 2019.

Alternate Board member

Susan Nicolai, Save the Children’s Global Director of Education, brings extensive expertise in championing children's right to quality education.

She has previously served as lead architect for Education Cannot Wait, founding Coordinator for the Global Education Cluster, and a founding Director of EdTech Hub. Her research has explored education system coherence and coordination, drivers of progress within the sector, and questions of equity and inclusion.

Susan’s in-country experience spans several countries in sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.

As part of the GPE board, she hopes to contribute a collective civil society voice and see stronger child/youth representation.

Board member

Ms. Solange Koumbon Napoe epouse Akpo-Gnandi, ANCEFA Regional Coordinator, is a lawyer and human rights activist. She joined ANCEFA in 2007, contributing to the coalition building and strengthening process, making the education advocacy and campaign in Africa more vibrant.

She was one of the CSO 2 regional focal points for Africa set up by GCE and has also participated in several CSO 2 pre-Board meetings, and in GPE Board meetings as observer or technical advisor.

Alternate Board member

An educationist and social activist working within and outside the government for over three decades, I am currently working as the Executive Director (CEO) of Campaign for Popular Education (CAMPE).

Earlier, I was an Adviser (Cabinet Minister) to Bangladesh's Interim Non-party Caretaker Government and served in high-level decision-making positions in the Ministries of Primary and Mass Education, Cultural Affairs, and Women and Children Affairs.

As a co-founder of GCE, I have been involved with its member NGOs/coalitions particularly in the AP region. I have also been engaged, as a board member in a number of private sector/ philanthropic mechanisms in the country.

Board member

Ms. Haldis Holst is a qualified teacher with experience from teaching in primary, secondary and adult education in Norway between 1983 and 1997.

Elected as a full time official at regional and national level of Union of Education Norway in 1997–2013, she also served on the Executive Board of Education International from 2004 to 2012.

Ms. Holst is the Deputy General Secretary of Education International since 2013. She served as Chair of the Governing Board of the European Wergeland Center (2012-2020) and on the Board of Directors of GPE since 2018.

Alternate Board member

Mr. Dennis Sinyolo is currently Africa Director of Education International. From 2006 to June 2020, Mr. Sinyolo was Senior Coordinator at Education International Headquarters in Brussels.

He has served on several international boards and committees, among others UNESCO’s Global Education Monitoring Report, the SDG-Education 2030 Steering Committee, the Steering Committee of the International Task Force on Teachers for Education 2030 and the Global Partnership for Education’s Strategy and Impact Committee.

He holds a doctorate in Education Management from the University of South Africa. Before joining the EI Secretariat, Mr. Sinyolo was Secretary General of Zimbabwe Teachers Association and a teacher in Zimbabwe.

Board member

Mr. David Boutcher has been a corporate partner in the international law firm Reed Smith LLP since 1988 and from 2011 to 2016 he was part of the firm's senior management team, being head of all the firm's 800 transactional lawyers.

He is a founding member and trustee of the global children's charity Theirworld, and Director of its subsidiary The Global Business Coalition for Education. He is also the existing Board member for the Private Sector at GPE.

In June 2017 Mr. Boutcher was awarded the MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honors for his services to children's charity and advocating corporate involvement.

Alternate Board member

Emily Friedman is the Head of Business Investment for Education Impact at the Global Business Coalition for Education.

Previously, she was the Director of Strategy and Impact at WeWork, focused on the future of work, investing in social entrepreneurs, and designing company-wide impact policies. Before that, Emily served as the Deputy Director of the Clinton Global Initiative University at the Clinton Foundation, working to elevate and support young social entrepreneurs from around the globe.

Emily has also led social impact campaigns for GOOD and Participant Media in Los Angeles in partnership with the Gates Foundation. She is the founder of an English language program in Costa Rica and developed and led a tourism-centered economic development initiative in Colombia.

Emily holds a Master’s degree in International Development from Columbia University and received her BA in Political Science from Skidmore College.

Board member

Dr. Andrew Cunningham serves as the Global Lead for Education at the Aga Khan Foundation, overseeing partnerships globally to enhance lifelong learning in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Collaborating with diverse stakeholders, including governments, academia, and civil society, he co-develops and scales educational innovations.

With a decade-long involvement in the IEFG and co-founding the Schools2030 initiative, he emphasizes teachers' pivotal role in global educational change across ten countries.

Prior roles include work with UNICEF Kenya, World Bank, and cofounding Kenya's WISER, a top STEM school for girls. Andy holds degrees from Duke and Oxford Universities, focusing his doctorate on effective school leadership strategies using technology in Kenya.

Alternate Board member

Christopher Thomas is Director of Partnerships at the Yidan Prize Foundation. He recently completed two-years as Lecturer and Social Entrepreneur in Residence at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Education.

Before coming to the Yidan Prize and Stanford, he was the Advisor to the Education Global Practice at the World Bank. He has served in a range of corporate strategy and management roles at the World Bank Group, including Lead Strategy Officer, Advisor to the Managing Director, and Manager of human development programs in Asia and Africa.

Mr. Thomas played a key role in forging the World Bank’s contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals, United Nations agreements on Financing for Development, and partnerships with the IMF and multilateral development banks.

Mr. Thomas holds an M.A. in International Affairs from Johns Hopkins University and a Ph.D. in Education from Stanford University.

Board member

Ms Stefania Giannini was appointed UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education in 2018, becoming the top UN official in the field. She provides strategic vision and leadership in coordinating and monitoring the Education 2030 Agenda, encompassed in Sustainable Development Goal 4.

During her term, she has given fresh impetus to multilateral and bilateral partnerships; increased global focus on education’s ethical role in providing learners with the skills to respond to 21st century challenges and heightened attention to the responsibility of universities in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. She affirmed UNESCO’s leadership in the COVID-19 response through global evidence, guidance, policy dialogue and collaboration with public and private partners, including through the Global Education Coalition.

With a background in the Humanities, Ms Giannini has served as Rector of the University for Foreigners of Perugia (2004 – 2012); Senator of the Republic of Italy (2013 – 2018) and Minister of Education, Universities and Research (2014 – 2016).

Alternate Board member

Ms. Valerie Newsom Guarnieri has been WFP Assistant Executive Director since January 2018. In this role, she leads cutting-edge program and policy development towards ending hunger, spear heading WFP efforts to ensure protection and inclusion, expand school meals and nutrition programs, empower women, build resilient food systems and support cash transfers and social protection.

Previously, she also provided oversight for emergency and supply chain functions, ensuring delivery of essential food assistance to the most vulnerable, food-insecure people around the world. Prior to this appointment, Ms. Guarnieri served as WFP Regional Director for East and Central Africa providing supervision, strategic guidance and support for some of WFP’s largest and most complex country operations, as WFP’s global Program Director, and in a variety of country office, regional and headquarter positions since August 2000.

Before WFP, she worked in the U.S. Government, at the National Security Council and the US Agency for International Development (USAID), as part of dedicated, inter-disciplinary teams to save lives and help create conditions for sustainable peace, with particular focus in Africa.

Ms. Guarnieri holds a Master of Arts from the School of International Service of American University in Washington, D.C.

Board member

Pia Rebello Britto, is UNICEF’s Global Director for Education and Adolescent Development. She is based in UNICEF’s New York Headquarters. In this capacity she provides strategic vision and direction for the Education Program, as well as the Adolescent Development and Participation program, leading the development of program policies, strategies, and guidance to ensure that every child and young person accesses and receives quality learning.

Prior to her current appointment, Ms. Britto served as the UNICEF Representative to Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) since August 2020. In this role she leads UNICEF’s efforts in country, to uphold the realization of Children’s Rights, across area of education, health, protection, water and sanitation, climate action, and emergency response.

Ms. Britto also served as the Global Chief and Senior Advisor of Early Childhood Development at UNICEF HQ in New York. In this capacity, she provided management and technical oversight to UNICEF’s global ECD portfolio across 150 country offices, including humanitarian response, spearheading, with partners, a global movement for early childhood, to give every child the best start to life.

Before joining UNICEF, Pia was Assistant Professor at Yale University; and Research Scientist at Teachers College, Columbia University, where she obtained her doctoral degree in Developmental Psychology.

Pia is the recipient of several national and international awards, and holds an extensive publication record of books, articles and reports. She is widely cited in academic research and the media in recognition for her work.

Alternate Board Member

Sajjad Malik is the Director for the Division of Resilience and Solutions at UNHCR. Before his current function, he was UNHCR’s Representative in Damascus, Syria. After which he served as the Special Adviser to the Executive Office in Geneva, Switzerland.

Furthermore, Mr. Malik has previously served as Head of the Organizational Development & Management Service and Chief of the Operational Solutions & Transitions.

The majority of his UNHCR career, for over 30 years, has been spent in the field in various capacities, notably in Africa. He has worked in Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, Pakistan, Syria and at HQ.

Board member

Mr. Luis Benveniste is the Human Development Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean at the World Bank. He was a co-author of the World Development Report 2012: Gender Equality and Development.

His research interests focus on teacher policies and student assessment practices. Other publications include Teaching in Cambodia (2008), with J. Marshall and M. Araujo, Teaching in Lao PDR (2008), with J. Marshall and L. Santibaez, "The political structuration of assessment: Negotiating State power and legitimacy," in A.H. Halsey, P. Brown, H. Lauder & J. Dillabough (eds.), Education: Globalization and Social Change (2006) and All Else Equal (2003), with M. Carnoy and R. Rothstein, a book on accountability and the organization of public and private schools in the United States.

Mr. Benveniste has also previously worked on a wide variety of World Bank education projects in Africa and East Asia and Pacific. He received a B.A. Magna Cum Laude in Psychology from Harvard University and a Ph.D. in International Comparative Education from Stanford University.

Alternate Board member

Idrissa Dia is the Director, Economic and Social Infrastructure Global Practices Department in the Islamic Development Bank Group since July 2021. The Department covers Agriculture, Health, Education, Energy and ICT, Transport, Water and Urban development sectors.

Idrissa has 28 years of professional experience in infrastructure development and financing, including 25 years in development finance and international development, working with the public and private sectors in Africa, Central & South Asia, Middle East, Europe, and North Africa.

He previously served as Global Practice Manager, Urban Development and Disaster Risk Management for Africa, at the World Bank (2015-2016).

He holds a Master of Science in Finance from Montreal University, with concentration in Financial Institutions & Development Projects Finance.

A Haitian national, Nesmy Manigat is Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister of Haiti, former Minister of Education and a professor of entrepreneurship at the university both in Haiti and abroad.

He is also an international consultant and speaker in development, with more than 25 years of experience in the private sector as well as in public and associative institutions, particularly in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean.

Judith Herbertson, Head of the Girls’ Education Department, FCDO, UK Government joined the former Department for International Development in 2003, and has worked in Ethiopia, Sudan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.

She currently heads the Girls’ Education Department at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Before joining the civil service, Judith worked in secondary education in the UK for 17 years.