CGIAR Fund Council Members

The CGIAR Fund Council appointed Rachel Kyte as Chair in November 2011.
Rachel Kyte is vice president of sustainable development at the World Bank, a position she has held since September 2011. She has overall responsibility for the Bank’s global work in agriculture, the environment, infrastructure, urban development, and social development.

Prior to taking up her current post, from 2008 Rachel was vice president for Business Advisory Services at the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in the World Bank Group. In IFC, she led efforts to support inclusive business models, including women’s businesses. From 2004, Rachel was director for environmental and social development at IFC, where she led efforts to develop new sustainability performance standards, now a global benchmark for private businesses. From 2000 to 2004, Rachel served in the IFC Compliance Advisor/Ombudsman office.
Prior to joining IFC, she was a manager in the International Union for Conservation of Nature. She has held elected positions in Europe, and founded and led non-government organizations focusing on women, the environment, health, and rights.

Rachel Kyte has a Master of Arts in International Relations from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, and a Bachelor of Arts in politics and history from the University of London.