Who's who in #globaldev: October 2018 appointments

International Monetary Fund IMF has a new chief economist: Gita Gopinath, who currently serves as John Zwaanstra professor of international studies and economics at Harvard University. She will take over for Maurice Obstfeld when he retires at the end of 2018. Gopinath is co-editor of the American Economic Review and co-director of the National Bureau of Economic Research International Finance and Macroeconomics Program. She is also co-editor of the current “Handbook of International Economics” with former IMF Economic Counsellor Kenneth Rogoff. “Gita is one of the world’s outstanding economists, with impeccable academic credentials, a proven track record of intellectual leadership, and extensive international experience … All this makes her exceptionally well-placed to lead our Research Department at this important juncture,” said IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde in a news release. Gopinath is IMF’s first female chief economist. Many experts find her “well-qualified” for the job, but some argue the challenge will be driving changes in IMF-thinking, which will require “bureaucratic and diplomatic skills of the highest order.” Open Society Foundations Tom Perriello is joining the Open Society Foundations as the new executive director of its United States programs. He will oversee the foundation’s grant-making and advocacy work in the country. Cecilia Muñoz will also fully take on the role of board chair of the foundation’s U.S. programs, after serving in the position in an interim capacity for the past year. Both have histories of working in government. Perriello served one term as a U.S. representative in Virginia; as special representative for the Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review; and as U.S. special envoy for the African Great Lakes under former President Barack Obama. Muñoz was director of intergovernmental affairs and director of the Domestic Policy Council, also under Obama. “Our institutions are under attack, the rule of law is being challenged as seldom before in our history, and the very foundations of our democracy are under enormous stress. These times demand bold leadership, new ideas, and sharp strategic thinking. In Tom and Cecilia, we have a promising partnership to lead our work in the U.S. forward,” said Patrick Gaspard, president of the Open Society Foundations, in a news release. African Development Bank AfDB President Akinwumi Adesina has made several new appointments and changes in his office and to senior management. He appointed Oyebanji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka, former director of UN Habitat’s regional office for Africa, as his new chief of staff and director of his cabinet. Oyelaran-Oyeyinka is also serving as his special adviser on industrialization. The Nigerian national replaced Maria Mutola Mulindi, who’s now director for special duties, civil society, and community-based organizations engagement at the president’s office. Other new appointments include: • Samantha Naidoo, new senior adviser to the president on strategy implementation and portfolio delivery. Previously, she was portfolio assistant/adviser to World Bank President Jim Kim. • Modibo Toure, special envoy on shareholder relations in Africa. He most recently served as under-secretary-general and special representative of the United Nations secretary-general, and head of the U.N. integrated mission in Guinea Bissau. He starts in his new role Nov. 1. • Kevin Urama, senior director of the Africa Development Institute. He was formerly a senior adviser to the president on inclusive and green growth, including on strategy, policy development, and implementation. • Alan Bacarese, director for integrity and anti-corruption. Bacarese was previously director of anti-corruption and asset recovery at Stream House, an international anti-corruption consultancy firm. He starts Jan. 1, 2019. • Frauke Harnischfeger, director of human resources in the corporate services and human resources vice-presidency of the bank. Harnischfeger previously served as chief human resources officer at the Institute of International Education in Washington, D.C. She starts Jan. 1, 2019. African Union Raila Odinga, former prime minister of Kenya, is the new African Union high representative for infrastructure development in Africa. The appointment is part of the body’s “drive to expedite the integration of the continent through infrastructure, in order to promote economic growth and sustainable development,” according to a news release. World Health Organization WHO has a new director for neglected tropical diseases: Mwelecele Ntuli Malecela. Until recently, she was director in the office of the regional director for Africa. Malecela has more than two decades of work for public health, particularly in Tanzania, where she was the first woman to serve as director general of the National Institute for Medical Research. She was also the founding director of the Tanzania Lymphatic Filariasis Elimination Program and has served in various technical advisory groups on neglected tropical diseases. Meanwhile, member states of WHO’s regional office in Western Pacific elected Takeshi Kasai of Japan as the office’s new regional director. He was previously the regional office’s director of program management and deputy to the regional director. Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative DNDi has welcomed Joelle Tanguy as the new director of external affairs. Tanguy has a wealth of experience in policy advocacy, fundraising, and working with both the public and private sectors. Her previous roles include under-secretary-general for humanitarian diplomacy at the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies; director of external relations for Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance; managing director of the GBCHealth; and private sector focal point for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis & Malaria board of directors. Mercy Corps Vijaya Gadde, chief legal officer of Twitter, is joining Mercy Corps’ board of directors. “As an organization whose primary goal is to tackle the world’s toughest challenges, we are thrilled to have someone of Vijaya’s experience and expertise to guide and support our work,” Neal Keny-Guyer, Mercy Corps CEO, said in a news release.