Natalia Kanem

Dr. Natalia Kanem is the Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund – the first Latin American to head the agency. Prior, she served as UNFPA’s representative in Tanzania, before serving as Deputy Executive Director in charge of Programmes. Dr. Kanem also served as a Ford Foundation Officer from 1992 to 2005, where she pioneered work in women’s reproductive health and sexuality, including as the representative for West Africa. She then served at the Foundation headquarters as Deputy Vice-President for its worldwide peace and social justice programmes, leading critical work for women and girls across Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America and North America.