Catherine Russell

Ms. Catherine Russell serves as UNICEF’s eighth Executive Director, overseeing the organization’s work for children in over 190 countries and territories. Prior to joining UNICEF, Ms. Russell served most recently in the U.S. Government as Assistant to the President and Director of the White House Office of Presidential Personnel. She previously served as U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Global women’s Issues, in which post she integrated issues affecting women and girls across all elements of U.S. foreign policy. She served previously as Deputy Assistant to the President under President Barack Obama, and Senior Adviser on International Women’s Issues on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Ms. Russell has already served on the boards of numerous organizations including the Women’s Foreign Policy Group and Women for Women International.