Henrietta Fore named new UNICEF executive director
HENRIETTA FORE takes office as UNICEF’s seventh executive director. She brings to the role more than four decades of private and public sector leadership experience.
“I am honored to be joining such a remarkable organization, which I have known and admired for many years, and look forward to continuing UNICEF’s work to help save children’s lives, fight for their rights and help them realize their potential,” Ms. Fore said.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appointed Ms. Fore as UNICEF executive director after consultation with UNICEF’s governing board.
Prior to taking up this appointment Ms. Fore served as chair of the board and chief executive officer of Holsman International, a manufacturing and investment company. From 2007 to 2009, Ms. Fore, an American national, served as both the Administrator of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and as director of United States Foreign Assistance in the US State Department.
From 2005 to 2007, Ms. Fore was Under Secretary of State for Management, the chief operating officer for the US Department of State. Prior to that, she was the 37th director of the United States Mint, a position she held from 2001 to 2005. Earlier in her career, at USAID, she was appointed as assistant administrator for Asia and Assistant Administrator for Private Enterprise (1989-1993). She also served on the Boards of the Overseas Private Investment Corp., and the Millennium Challenge Corp.
In addition to her government service, Ms. Fore has had leadership roles in a number of organizations in civil society, including being Global co-chair of the Asia Society, and associations with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the Aspen Institute, the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy, and the Center for Global Development.
Ms. Fore has also had leadership roles in the corporate sector. Effective Dec. 31, Ms. Fore will have stepped down from all outside board engagements.