Dr. Frannie Léautier Joins UN Foundation Board

The United Nations Foundation today announced the appointment of Dr. Frannie Léautier of Tanzania as its newest Board member. As an accomplished leader in global development and finance, Dr. Léautier will help guide the UN Foundation as it continues to champion collective action to solve urgent challenges and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“We are pleased to welcome Frannie Léautier as the UN Foundation’s newest Board member,” said UN Foundation Founder and Chairman Ted Turner. “Her leadership and rich expertise in key issues such as financing, infrastructure, and partnerships will help the UN Foundation forge new paths to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and a better world for all.”

Dr. Léautier, a leader with decades of experience on the global stage, brings to the UN Foundation Board distinct expertise in advancing African development, mobilizing development finance, and leading multilateral institutions. She is currently leading the Asset Management business of the Eastern and Southern African Trade and Development Bank, with a special focus on small and medium enterprises (SMEs), trade, and infrastructure finance, having developed its operational complex as the Bank’s Chief Operating Officer. Previously, she served as Senior Vice President at the African Development Bank and CEO of the Mkoba Private Equity Fund, which catalyzes investments in the African private sector.

Dr. Léautier has held several high-profile roles at the World Bank. She has been recognized for her work in the clean energy and transportation sectors, and has worked in several countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Among the roles directly linked to the Sustainable Development Goals is her role on the board of African Risk Capacity Ltd which is a public-private partnership for insurance solutions for droughts and floods. She holds advanced degrees in transportation and infrastructure systems.

“I am honored to join my esteemed colleagues on the UN Foundation Board,” said Dr. Frannie Léautier. “With just over 10 years to achieve the historic commitments set out in the Sustainable Development Goals, we need all parts of society to unite and identify creative solutions to the problems that affect us all. I look forward to joining my fellow Board members and supporting the work of the United Nations – an institution that we need now more than ever.”

The UN Foundation Board of Directors includes accomplished leaders from around the world. Members include:

Ted Turner (U.S.A.) – Founder and Chairman of the Board, UN Foundation
Kathy Calvin (U.S.A.) – President & CEO, UN Foundation
Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah (Jordan) – Chair, Jordan River Foundation
Valerie Amos (UK) – Director, SOAS University of London
Fabio Colletti Barbosa (Brazil) – Chairman of the Board, Endeavor Brazil
Gro Harlem Brundtland (Norway) – Vice Chair, Former Prime Minister of Norway, Director-General Emeritus, World Health Organization
Julio Frenk (Mexico) – President, University of Miami

Mark Malloch-Brown (UK) – Former Deputy Secretary-General, United Nations
Narayana Murthy (India) – Founder and Chairman Emeritus, Infosys Limited
Hans Vestberg (Sweden) – CEO, Verizon Communications
Timothy E. Wirth (U.S.A) – Vice Chair and former President, UN Foundation
Muhammad Yunus (Bangladesh) – Founder, Grameen Bank of Bangladesh and Nobel Peace Prize Winner

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About the United Nations Foundation

The United Nations Foundation acts as a strategic partner to help the United Nations mobilize the ideas, people, and resources it needs to drive global progress and tackle urgent challenges. We focus on issues at the heart of the Sustainable Development Goals, build initiatives across sectors to solve problems at scale, and engage citizens who seek action. Founded in 1998 by entrepreneur and philanthropist Ted Turner, the UN Foundation works with philanthropic, corporate, government, and individual partners. Learn more at: www.unfoundation.org.

Media Contact:

Serena Jiwani

UN Foundation

Email: sjiwani@unfoundation.org

Phone: 202-854-2355