Vanessa Tobin

Ms. Vanessa Tobin is a global international development expert with more than 30 years of experience implementing and managing programs. Ms. Tobin was the Senior Advisor to Catholic Relief Services (CRS), from 2013-16 overseeing all of the organization’s support to water programs. Prior to joining CRS, Ms. Tobin worked with UNICEF for nearly 25 years, serving in multiple senior positions. From 2008-2012, Ms. Tobin led UNICEF activities in the Philippines, managing a $30M per annum program focused on child health and nutrition, water and sanitation, education, child and social protection. Prior to that Ms. Tobin served as the Chief of the Water, Environment and Sanitation Division, during which provided guidance and support to UNICEF’s global water, environment and sanitation programs. She was responsible for the development of the new UNICEF sector strategy (2006-2015), creation of the UN Emergency WASH Cluster, oversaw the UN monitoring program that measured progress toward achievement of MDG 7 for water supply and sanitation (UNICEF/WHO Joint Monitoring Program); and significantly increased global sector financing up to 250 million per annum through new agreements with bilateral, multilateral partners and Foundations. Over her career, Ms. Tobin has been responsible for the overall implementation of a number of country program portfolios valued at up to $100M. As a leader in her field, Ms. Tobin has worked closely with multiple UN agencies including UNEP, WHO, UNHCR and UNWATER and she currently serves as an executive board member for the Millennium Water Alliance. Ms. Tobin holds an MSc in Public Health in Developing Countries from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and an MPA from Harvard University.