Board members

Board member

Hon. Farah Sheikh Abdulkadir is the current Federal Minister of Education, Culture and Higher Education of Somalia. With an overall 30+ years of experience, Hon Abdulkadir has been serving the government leadership for over 10 years. Prior to taking this role, he has served two terms as a federal parliamentarian, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs in 2015 and as State Minister of Somalia Presidency.

Outside of the government sector, he has also served as the Advisor to the Direct Aid, Kuwait and the Country Director of Africa Muslim Agency.

He earned a master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) from Eastern and Southern Africa Management Institute (ESAMI) Arusha, Tanzania in collaboration with Maastricht School of Management, in Netherlands. He also has a degree in sharia and Law from International Islamic University, in Islamabad Pakistan.

Alternate Board member

Prof. Samaria dos Anjos Filemon Tovela, the new Minister of Education and Culture of Mozambique, was appointed by President Daniel Chapo on January 27, 2025. She holds a degree in Linguistics from Eduardo Mondlane University and a Master's degree in Language Didactics from the University of Aveiro, in Portugal, as well as a PhD in Linguistics from the same Mozambican university.

Her professional career includes roles as Advisor to the Permanent Delegation of Mozambique to UNESCO in Paris, as a Senior Specialist in Education, Director of the National Institute for the Development of Education (INDE), an entity responsible for developing curricula, teaching programs, teaching materials, conducting educational research and technical-scientific and pedagogical research in general education.

She was also the National Director of Secondary Education and Rector of the Higher Institute of Technology and Management (ISTEG), now Wutivi University.

She has experience in curriculum planning and development; educational evaluation and research; coordination of teaching programs, monitoring of the teaching-learning process; production of teaching programs, production and evaluation of textbooks; teaching, management of higher education institutions; evaluation of the quality of higher education institutions and elaboration of educational policies.

Board member

Youssouf Tahir Ahmat is a senior executive and international expert in human resources planning and management.

He has successively held senior positions in the education sector, and has 20 years' experience in the field.

He has also a proven track record at regional and international level in the field of education, notably with the Global Partnership for Education, UNESCO and UNHCR.

Alternate Board member

In 1996, Moustapha Mohamed Mahamoud, then a young graduate with a master's degree in Geography from the UFR of Human Sciences in Poitiers, returned home, full of dynamism and projects to put himself at the service of his country. He began his career at the Ministry of National Education as a History-Geography teacher until 2004.

At the same time, during the 2003-2004 school year, he provided tutoring to the new university center of Djibouti.

From 2004, he moved up the administrative ladder by being promoted to principal-deputy head of establishment then principal. Roles that he will successively assume in three middle education colleges, while training, for the sake of efficiency, in human resources management (2008-2009) and school mediation (2010-2011).

Thanks to his managerial qualities and his integrity, he became, in 2013, head of department at the general directorate of education. He continues his rise as director of sector monitoring and foresight within the general directorate of technical education and vocational training. And, he was appointed minister in 2016.

Board member

Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa is a renown board-certified nephrologist and health system executive chairman, with a distinguished career spanning over 30 years. Dr Alausa currently serves as the Honorable Minister of Education, following his appointment by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

His recent appointment by the President is a testament to his dedication and expertise in both healthcare and leadership, as well as his commitment to the development of our nation.

Prior to his current role, Dr Alausa served as the Honorable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, where he championed Universal Health Coverage and elevated Nigeria’s healthcare standards to align with global benchmarks. His foundational role on President Tinubu’s Presidential Policy Advisory Council on Health saw him contribute directly to shaping Nigeria’s current health policies, with a focus on reform and resilience in healthcare systems.

Dr Alausa’s accomplishments extend beyond Nigeria’s borders. Having worked in the university system in three countries, United Kingdom, United States and Nigeria, Dr Alausa’s posting to the Ministry reflects a desire for credible leadership prioritizing competence, experience, and integrity over political motivations.

Alternate Board member

Habibatou Drammeh, Minister of Basic and Secondary Education of The Gambia was the Director of Student and Alumni Affairs at the University of The Gambia from 2020 to October 2024 and previously headed the Directorate of Planning and Quality Assurance at the same university.

With 13 years in higher education administration and 5 years in banking, she has held various leadership roles including Head of Department of Management Sciences and Coordinator of the MBA Program at the university.

As a seasoned teacher and researcher, she has taught courses in Business, Management, Public Administration and Finance since 2011. She has also been an adjunct lecturer at the Management Development Institute and the West Africa International University, all based in The Gambia.

She has contributed to the training of small and medium enterprises in The Gambia, with a focus on women’s participation in nation-building.

Board member

Honorable Dr. Ismail Shafeeu is the Minister of Education, Higher Education and Skills Development in the Maldives. With a Ph.D. from the University of Durham and a Master's Degree from the University of Malaya, he has played key roles in shaping the nation's educational landscape.

From his early days as a Chemistry teacher to serving as the Deputy Minister of Education, Dr. Ismail’s career is marked by a commitment to quality education. During his tenure as the Deputy Minister of Education he played a key role in education policy formulation. His contributions extend to the higher education sector as well, where he served as the Dean of the Islamic University Research Center.

A recipient of prestigious awards such as the Commonwealth Scholarship Award from Commonwealth Scholarship Commission/England (2015) and the Award of Scholastic Achievement from University Malaya/Malaysia (2011), Dr. Ismail brings a wealth of experience and innovation to his role, ensuring a transformative impact on education in the Maldives.

Alternate Board member

Wayne Mendiola was born on April 17, 1974 in Pohnpei, FSM. He graduated from Nett Elementary School in Pohnpei, FSM in 1988 with a diploma. He then went on to Xavier High School in Chuuk, FSM and graduated in 1992 with a high school diploma. He then attended College of Micronesia-FSM from 1992 to 1995 an earn an Associate Degree in Liberal Arts and a Third Year Certificate in Teaching.

He started his career 1995 as a school vice principal at Pohnpei Catholic School for 2 years. He then became the principal of Pohnpei Catholic School from 1997 to 2003. While he was the school principal he also took classes at University of Guam and received his Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education in 2000.

In 2003 he started working for the Department of Health Education and Social Affairs office at FSM National Government as the School Health Program Coordinator. In 2007, he then became the Postsecondary Administrator under the Department of Education at the National Government until 2013.

While he was serving as the Postsecondary Administrator, he attended classes online at the San Diego States University (SDSU) and graduated in 2011 with a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership.

From 2013 until today he is the Assistant Secretary of the FSM Department of Education. He is currently the Chairman of FSM National Commission for UNESCO; the Chairman of the FSM Nutrition Council, Member of the Pacific Board of Education Quality (PBEQ), member of the Pacific Heads of Education System (PHES).

He is also the a Steering Committee member for the Pacific Island Literacy and Numeracy Assessment (PILNA).

Board member

Alternate Board member

Dan Perciun took on the role of Minister in July 2023. From 2019 to 2023, he served as Deputy and Head of the Parliament Commission for Social Protection, Health, and Family. During this time, Mr. Perciun handled a range of tasks, from crafting laws to overseeing programs and conducting evaluations. He actively supported the reform of the social benefits and pensions system in the country.

Since 2014, he's been deeply involved in various activities, such as evaluating the National Strategy in Agriculture 2020 and implementing child-centered education in Moldova. In his stint as Head of the E-transformation Department at the Ministry of Education (2014-2015), he worked on digital competence standards and educational projects in Information Technologies.

As the Minister of Education and Research, Dan Perciun is pushing for reforms to improve education quality and reduce gaps between rural and urban areas. One of his main goals is to establish a network of regional model schools, making education more accessible for vulnerable children.

His priorities also include promoting inclusive education, maintaining integrity, improving teacher's training, and modernizing higher education through digitalization and internationalization. Dan Perciun's dedication to these goals reflects his commitment to making positive changes in education.

Board member

Ivette Arely Argueta Padilla, Ph.D., serves as Honduras’ Secretary of State in the Department of Education and brings more than 39 years of experience in the national educational system.

Her career spans preschool, basic, and secondary education, along with key technical, administrative, and strategic roles that have strengthened educational management across the country.

She has pursued continuous professional development both nationally and internationally, reinforcing her commitment to high quality education.

Dr. Argueta Padilla approaches her role with strong institutional responsibility and ethical dedication, focusing her leadership on the well being of children, youth, and the broader educational community.

Alternate Board member

Hon. Savitri Sonia Parag, the Minister of Education in Guyana, is an accomplished attorney-at-law and public servant with a proven record of leadership in government.

She began her ministerial career in 2020 as Minister of Public Service, where she advanced institutional reforms and capacity building, before taking on the role of Minister of Local Government and Regional Development in 2024.

In 2025, she was entrusted with the Ministry of Education, reflecting the administration’s confidence in her vision and leadership.

Minister Parag brings strong expertise in law, governance, and public administration to advancing inclusive and resilient education development.

Board member

At the National School of Administration, 2006-2008; appointed and confirmed as Foreign Affairs Advisor, April 1, 2008; at the central administration, editor (Economic and Financial Affairs), 2008-2009; editor, head of office, head of the G8/G20 task force (Global Economy and Development Strategies), 2009-2012; first secretary, then political advisor at the Permanent Representation of France to the European Union in Brussels, 2012-2015; assigned to the European External Action Service as a political advisor in Brussels, 2015-2017; political advisor in Washington, 2017-2021; at the central administration, deputy director of development (Sustainable Development), 2021-2023; integrated into the State Administrators Corps, January 1, 2023; deputy chief of staff (Office of the Secretary of State), 2023-2024; services in central administration, January-April 2024; project manager at the ministerial delegation for senior management (Human Resources), April-September 2024; deputy director (Global Affairs Directorate), September 2024.

Alternate Board member

After studying History and Journalism and gaining various experiences in the private sector, Ms. Carlier joined the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2009.

After a few years in the European Affairs Directorate, she joined the Cooperation Directorate in 2017 as an Advisor for Education. In this capacity, she participated in the GPE Governance and Ethics Committee and took part in numerous Board meetings.

After a few years in this role, Ms. Carlier was appointed Education Expert, which involves monitoring the Global Partnership for Education, following bilateral cooperation in Education, and liaising with stakeholders (NGOs, ENABEL, universities, and civil society organizations) active in Education.

Board member

Paul Frisoli, Ed.D. has over 20 years working in education development and education and emergencies, working as a teacher, practitioner, private sector donor, and bilateral donor.

His work has been on the intersections of education programming, research, and policy with a thematic focus on early childhood development, quality and playful education, teacher professional development, mental health and psychosocial support, social emotional learning, literacy, numeracy, and girls´ education.

Before joining the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Paul was the Global Director for LEGO Foundation’s humanitarian and East Africa funding portfolios. He holds a doctorate of education in Education Policy, Research, and Administration from the University of Massachusetts.

Alternate Board member

Katarina Westman began her development cooperation career as a member of a technical assistance team supporting non formal education in Bangladesh.

She then spent seven years in Kenya, focusing on children’s rights, adult education, and the quality assurance and accreditation of non formal education systems. At SIDA, she has held several roles related to organizational capacity development and institutional strengthening.

Most recently, she served in Rwanda, where she managed Sweden’s research cooperation portfolio with a focus on strengthening national research and innovation capacity. She is currently based at SIDA HQ as an education specialist.

Board member

Barbara has over 25 years of experience in the public service and is known for achieving results, mobilizing teams, and being a strong communicator. She has served as an executive in a number of government departments including Service Canada as the Director General responsible for the delivery of Canada’s two largest statutory programs (Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security) and as Senior Director at Indigenous Services responsible for education programming.

At the Public Health Agency of Canada, as Executive Director, Barbara led governance and supported senior leadership in planning and reporting. And having spent the majority of her public sector career at Global Affairs Canada (and the Canadian International Development Agency), Barbara currently holds the position of Director General (Social and Economic Programs) and previously held the position of Director General (Food Security and Environment) and multiple Director level positions including Multilateral programming (strategic planning and analysis); Central America and Cuba (bilateral country programs); and Southern Africa (bilateral country programs).

Alternate Board member

Peter has worked in international development for over 30 years in the UK, EU, Africa and the Americas.

He has been a UK civil servant since 1999, including as DFID/FCDO Head of Safeguarding, Head of Program Delivery, Head of the World Bank Team, Head of EU Programs and Head of Basic Services in Zimbabwe covering education and health programs.

He holds an undergraduate degree in French and Spanish and a Masters’ Degree in Latin American Studies.

Board member

Merete Lundemo has served for more than 35 years at various diplomatic postings in Europe, Latin America, Asia and Africa as well as at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Oslo. She was Norway’s Special Representative for the Sahel, Ambassador to Abidjan, to Dhaka, and to Ethiopia before assuming her post as Special Envoy for Education in Crisis and Conflict in 2022.

Her experience also includes working as a special adviser to the President of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and international assignments as an election observer.

Alternate Board member

Ms. Al Ghadiri, is UAE diplomat, joined the foreign service of the UAE in 2013. She is passionate about supporting education in the partner countries, and is willing to take additional responsibility in the PILC representing Donor 4 and the UAE.

Ms. Al Ghadiri has been managing and representing the UAE Development Aid sector in Education and Health for more than three years; been the Technical Advisor to the UAE Representative in GPE- recently became the UAE Representative in Donor 4 group.

Ms. Al Ghadiri comes from multilateral cooperation background; Is currently Senior Specialist, under the Development International Cooperation sector in the UAE MoFA. Ms. Al Ghadiri has master's degree in Humanitarian and Development Cooperation, and master's degree in Cultural and Post-colonial Studies.

She speaks English, Arabic, and French.

Board member

Mr. Seychell is a graduate in chemistry and pharmaceutical technology. He occupied the post of Head of Directorate for Foodstuffs and Chemicals at the Malta Standards Authority between 2001 and 2006, and that of Director of Environment Protection at the Malta Environment and Planning Authority between 2006 and 2011.

He was appointed Deputy Director General for Health and Consumers at the European Commission in March 2011.

Between 2014 and 2020 he was Deputy Director-General for Health in the Health and Food Safety Directorate-General (SANTE), responsible for directorates dealing with public health and health systems and products, covering a number of policy areas including health security, health systems, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, tobacco control and digital health.

He also represented the Commission on the Management Board of the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) between 2011 and 2020. He was appointed Deputy Director General responsible for Directorates G & R (Human Development, Migration, Governance and Peace (G), and Resources (R)) in DG INTPA in June 2020.

Alternate Board member

Dr. Michael Vierhuss Schloms studied political science in Berlin and Paris. He entered the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) in 2005 where he worked on the cooperation with Central America, the Ministry’s organizational and IT development and on European development policy (at Germany’s Permanent Representation in Brussels).

Since 2022, Mr. Vierhuss Schloms is Head of BMZ’s Unit “Human Rights, Gender, Children’s and Youth Rights, Basic Education“.

Board member

As Assistant Secretary Global Programs and Partnership Branch, Ms. Chandler is responsible for Australia’s programs targeting soft power influence in the Indo Pacific.

Her responsibilities span management of the prestigious Australia Awards and New Colombo plan scholarships programs in 52 countries, multilateral engagement through the Global Partnership for Education, leading DFAT’s engagement in tertiary international education policy processes and managing the department’s ongoing relationship with the NGO and civil society sector.

She is a foreign policy specialist with deep development expertise, built through 20 years of public service experience, including two diplomatic appointments to Laos and Solomon Islands.

Alternate Board member

Takayuki Kawakami joined the Japanese Foreign Service in 1995. He has been specializing in Southwest Asia with postings in Kolkata, Dhaka, Kathmandu, and Colombo for more than 20 years. He has worked mainly in the international cooperation bureau at the ministry’s headquarters.

Mr. Kawakami assumed his current position in November 2024.

Board member

Ms. Yona Nestel is Plan International’s Education Policy and Advocacy Lead, with nearly 20 years of experience in education programing, advocacy and policy.

Much of her career has been spent in developing countries working with CSOs and ministries of education on issues including gender equality and inclusion, early childhood education (ECD), and education in emergencies (EiE).

Yona has actively contributed to the CSO 1 constituency since 2011 and has had the honor of serving as CSO 1 alternate representative alongside Kira Boe since 2019.

Alternate Board member

Marian Hodgkin is Save the Children’s Global Head of Education and has worked for twenty years on education coordination, systems strengthening, and as an advocate for the provision of inclusive education in both humanitarian and more stable contexts.

She has led Education Clusters at the national level working closely with LEGs, developed global guidance on coherent strategy development in humanitarian contexts, and undertaken research on education coordination and programming across the nexus.

She is passionate about driving integrated approaches to meet children’s rights to learning, protection and wellbeing through education, no matter who they are, where they live, or what’s happening around them.

As part of the GPE board, she hopes to contribute a collective civil society voice which prioritizes children's rights and youth voices in decision-making and governance.

Board member

Ms. Solange Koumbon Napoe epouse Akpo-Gnandi, ANCEFA Regional Coordinator, is a lawyer and human rights activist. She joined ANCEFA in 2007, contributing to the coalition building and strengthening process, making the education advocacy and campaign in Africa more vibrant.

She was one of the CSO 2 regional focal points for Africa set up by GCE and has also participated in several CSO 2 pre-Board meetings, and in GPE Board meetings as observer or technical advisor.

Alternate Board member

An educationist and social activist working within and outside the government for over three decades, I am currently working as the Executive Director (CEO) of Campaign for Popular Education (CAMPE).

Earlier, I was an Adviser (Cabinet Minister) to Bangladesh's Interim Non-party Caretaker Government and served in high-level decision-making positions in the Ministries of Primary and Mass Education, Cultural Affairs, and Women and Children Affairs.

As a co-founder of GCE, I have been involved with its member NGOs/coalitions particularly in the AP region. I have also been engaged, as a board member in a number of private sector/ philanthropic mechanisms in the country.

Board member

Cassandra Hallett is the Deputy General Secretary of Education International (EI). She is a teacher, unionist, feminist, and education leader with over three decades of experience in Canada and in several GPE partner countries.

Cassandra is committed to advancing strong, inclusive public education systems; promoting the teaching profession; and protecting the rights of teachers and education workers everywhere. She thrives as a collaborative leader and communicates fluently in English and French.

Cassandra has extensive experience in advocacy, governance, and strategic planning. She is passionate about human and labor rights, equity, and gender justice. Prior to joining EI, Cassandra served as the Executive Director of the Canadian Teachers' Federation for over 11 years.

Alternate Board member

Mr. Dennis Sinyolo is currently Africa Director of Education International. From 2006 to June 2020, Mr. Sinyolo was Senior Coordinator at Education International Headquarters in Brussels.

He has served on several international boards and committees, among others UNESCO’s Global Education Monitoring Report, the SDG-Education 2030 Steering Committee, the Steering Committee of the International Task Force on Teachers for Education 2030 and the Global Partnership for Education’s Strategy and Impact Committee.

He holds a doctorate in Education Management from the University of South Africa. Before joining the EI Secretariat, Mr. Sinyolo was Secretary General of Zimbabwe Teachers Association and a teacher in Zimbabwe.

Board member

Tendai Mashingaidze is the founder of Ubuntu Equity, a Johannesburg-based impact investment and advisory firm with a significant portfolio of investments in edtech startups providing access to education in Africa.

Tendai is also the former CEO of Econet Education, a leading Pan African telecoms player where he managed the telco's investments in education reaching over 2 million students in Africa.

Tendai is an alumnus of global management consulting firm McKinsey & Company where he managed the firm's corporate social investments in education.

Prior to joining McKinsey, he started off his career as a school teacher at one of South Africa's oldest schools, Graeme College. Tendai was nominated by the Desmond Tutu foundation as one of 50 up-and-coming young leaders to watch in Africa and has been invited to speak on impact investing at MIT and Harvard.

Alternate Board member

Emily Friedman is the Head of Business Investment for Education Impact at the Global Business Coalition for Education.

Previously, she was the Director of Strategy and Impact at WeWork, focused on the future of work, investing in social entrepreneurs, and designing company-wide impact policies. Before that, Emily served as the Deputy Director of the Clinton Global Initiative University at the Clinton Foundation, working to elevate and support young social entrepreneurs from around the globe.

Emily has also led social impact campaigns for GOOD and Participant Media in Los Angeles in partnership with the Gates Foundation. She is the founder of an English language program in Costa Rica and developed and led a tourism-centered economic development initiative in Colombia.

Emily holds a Master’s degree in International Development from Columbia University and received her BA in Political Science from Skidmore College.

Board member

Dr. Andrew Cunningham serves as the Global Lead for Education at the Aga Khan Foundation, overseeing partnerships globally to enhance lifelong learning in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Collaborating with diverse stakeholders, including governments, academia, and civil society, he co-develops and scales educational innovations.

With a decade-long involvement in the IEFG and co-founding the Schools2030 initiative, he emphasizes teachers' pivotal role in global educational change across ten countries.

Prior roles include work with UNICEF Kenya, World Bank, and cofounding Kenya's WISER, a top STEM school for girls. Andy holds degrees from Duke and Oxford Universities, focusing his doctorate on effective school leadership strategies using technology in Kenya.

Alternate Board member

Lucy Lake is a director of the Yidan Prize Foundation and advisor to philanthropies and non-profits on strategy, leadership and governance. She is the former CEO of CAMFED, an organization dedicated to girls’ education and women’s leadership in Africa.

Lucy Lake is a founding member and former Chair of the United Nations Girls’ Education Initiative and has served on the High-Level Steering Group of the Education Commission’s Workforce Initiative, and the Advisory Board of the UNESCO Global Education Monitoring Report.

Board member

Mr Qun Chen was appointed UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education in April 2026. Leading a global team of 1,000 staff, he provides strategic vision and leadership in coordinating and monitoring the implementation of the Education 2030 Agenda to ensure education remains a top priority on the world’s political agenda.

Professor Chen began his career as a science scholar at East China Normal University (ECNU), a leading research institution, where he subsequently held senior leadership positions, serving as Vice-President from 2003 to 2012 and as President from 2012 to 2018. From 2017 to 2023, Professor Chen served as Deputy Mayor of Shanghai, China, before becoming Vice-Chairman of the Shanghai Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.

In these roles, he oversaw key portfolios, including education, social and legal affairs, contributing to the advancement of Shanghai’s education system. With a PhD in Physics, Professor Chen is internationally recognized for his contributions to scientific research and interdisciplinary sciences.

Alternate Board member

Matthew Hollingworth is WFP’s Assistant Executive Director for Program Operations, leading the organization’s work in assessment, analysis, program design and supply chain to ensure effective life saving and resilience building support.

He joined WFP in 2001 and has since held leadership roles in Lebanon, West Bank & Gaza, Ukraine, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria and Afghanistan, developing extensive expertise in crisis coordination, social protection systems and resilience programming.

Before WFP, he worked in the NGO sector. A dual UK-Irish national, he holds degrees from Cranfield University, the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, and Southampton University.

Board member

Pia Rebello Britto, is UNICEF’s Global Director for Education and Adolescent Development. She is based in UNICEF’s New York Headquarters. In this capacity she provides strategic vision and direction for the Education Program, as well as the Adolescent Development and Participation program, leading the development of program policies, strategies, and guidance to ensure that every child and young person accesses and receives quality learning.

Prior to her current appointment, Ms. Britto served as the UNICEF Representative to Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) since August 2020. In this role she leads UNICEF’s efforts in country, to uphold the realization of Children’s Rights, across area of education, health, protection, water and sanitation, climate action, and emergency response.

Ms. Britto also served as the Global Chief and Senior Advisor of Early Childhood Development at UNICEF HQ in New York. In this capacity, she provided management and technical oversight to UNICEF’s global ECD portfolio across 150 country offices, including humanitarian response, spearheading, with partners, a global movement for early childhood, to give every child the best start to life.

Before joining UNICEF, Pia was Assistant Professor at Yale University; and Research Scientist at Teachers College, Columbia University, where she obtained her doctoral degree in Developmental Psychology.

Pia is the recipient of several national and international awards, and holds an extensive publication record of books, articles and reports. She is widely cited in academic research and the media in recognition for her work.

Alternate Board Member

Becky Telford, UNHCR’s Global Head of Education, is a seasoned education specialist with 25 years’ experience in supporting children whose lives are affected by crisis and conflict.

She has a diverse background working on issues of human development, humanitarian responses and working with partner governments and key stakeholders. Working at country and global level, Becky has spent more than 10 years based in sub-Saharan Africa.

She joined UNHCR in 2019 from the UK’s Department for International Development following a career with UNICEF, NGOs and corporate foundations.

Becky was awarded a doctorate from the UK’s Leicester University in 2018 with a thesis that sought to understand the local realities of teaching with technology in Kenya’s Dadaab refugee camp. She has evidenced a long-term engagement with GPE having previously served in the Alternate Board Member capacity for almost two years, as well as representing the multilateral organizations constituency on the Performance, Impact and Learning Committee.

In her role with UNHCR, Becky sets strategic direction on education and works to ensure refugee needs and voices are reflected in global policy, planning and programming as well as building partnerships that both ensure access to quality education for refugees and work toward inclusion into strengthened national systems.

Board member

Christian Bodewig is the World Bank Group Director for Education and Skills. Prior to this assignment, he served as Practice Manager in the World Bank’s Social Protection and Labor global department and in the Western and Central Africa region, based in Dakar.

Earlier, as the Program Manager for Southern Europe at the World Bank in Brussels, he oversaw the Bank’s operational, advisory, and analytical programs in Greece, Cyprus, Italy, and Portugal.

Between 2013 and 2018 he served as program leader for inclusive growth in the European Union where he coordinated the World Bank’s lending and advisory program in education, health, poverty and social protection and labor in EU Member States.

Between 2009 and 2013, Christian worked in the East Asia and Pacific department where he led the Bank’s human development program in Vietnam. Christian brings extensive regional experience and technical expertise in social protection, labor, youth employment, skills, and education.

Alternate Board member

Idrissa Dia is the Director, Economic and Social Infrastructure Global Practices Department in the Islamic Development Bank Group since July 2021. The Department covers Agriculture, Health, Education, Energy and ICT, Transport, Water and Urban development sectors.

Idrissa has 28 years of professional experience in infrastructure development and financing, including 25 years in development finance and international development, working with the public and private sectors in Africa, Central & South Asia, Middle East, Europe, and North Africa.

He previously served as Global Practice Manager, Urban Development and Disaster Risk Management for Africa, at the World Bank (2015-2016).

He holds a Master of Science in Finance from Montreal University, with concentration in Financial Institutions & Development Projects Finance.

Youssouf Tahir Ahmat is a senior executive and international expert in human resources planning and management.

He has successively held senior positions in the education sector, and has 20 years' experience in the field.

He has also a proven track record at regional and international level in the field of education, notably with the Global Partnership for Education, UNESCO and UNHCR.

Global Lead, Education, Aga Khan Foundation