Anna Bjerde is the World Bank’s managing director of operations, overseeing projects in over 130 countries focused on poverty reduction, equitable growth, human development, and climate change, among other key priorities. Prior to this, she served as vice president for Europe and Central Asia, leading the institution’s efforts to steer the region through a series of overlapping global shocks, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the World Bank’s support to Ukraine. An experienced leader with recognized expertise in sustainable infrastructure, she has a strong record of delivering impactful programs across sectors and regions, including Africa and the Middle East.