Governance and leadership
The World Food Programme (WFP) is governed by the WFP Executive Board, which consists of 36 Member States and provides intergovernmental support, direction and supervision of activities.
WFP is headed by an Executive Director, who is appointed jointly by the UN Secretary-General and the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. The Executive Director is appointed for fixed five-year terms and is responsible for the administration of WFP as well as the implementation of its programmes, projects and other activities. Since April 2023, the post has been held by Cindy McCain.
WFP also has one Deputy Executive Director and three Assistant Executive Directors.
Senior leadership
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Cindy McCain - Executive Director
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Cindy McCain is a distinguished humanitarian, business leader and diplomat with a career spanning four decades. A former Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the United States Mission to the United Nations food and agriculture agencies in Rome, she has championed a wide range of causes focused on alleviating hunger and promoting sustainable development and peace. She has worked with front-line humanitarian programmes across the world, including many run by WFP, and learned from people whose lives have been transformed by them.
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Meghan Latcovich - Chief of Staff
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Meghan Latcovich was appointed Chief of Staff at the WFP in April 2023. Prior to this, she was the Chief of Staff at the US Mission to the United Nations Food Agencies in Rome.
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Carl Skau - Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer
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Carl Skau is WFP’s Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer. He leads the organization’s overall coordination, strategic direction, humanitarian diplomacy, and support for field operations. He also supports corporate efforts to maximize WFP’s inter-agency collaboration and partnerships.
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Valerie Guarnieri - Assistant Executive Director, Programme Operations
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Valerie Guarnieri leads WFP's assessment and analysis, programme and policy, and supply chain operations, aimed at supporting people and nations to meet needs in emergencies, reduce needs and improve food security. Global partnerships to empower women and youth, support refugees and displaced populations, combat malnutrition and ensure that all hungry children benefit from a nutritious meal in school also fall under her leadership.
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Rania Dagash-Kamara - Assistant Executive Director, Partnerships and Innovation
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Rania Dagash-Kamara leads the organization’s engagement and resource mobilization activities with global partners, international financial institutions and programme countries. She also oversees WFP’s expanding work in innovation.
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Stanlake Samkange - Assistant Executive Director a.i., Workplace & Management
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Stanlake Samkange leads the services and functions designed to support, protect and empower WFP’s global teams, including the organization’s human resources, management services, security, technology, wellness and surge capacity coordination.
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Robert van der Zee - Chief Financial Officer
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Robert van der Zee is WFP’s Chief Financial Officer. In this role, he drives effective resource planning, allocation and utilization. He also oversees the financial cycle, which spans from corporate planning, through budgeting and performance, to the recording of accounting transactions and payments, strategic financing, financial monitoring and financial performance reporting.