People
In Memoriam : our friend and colleague Piers Cross
Piers Cross , one of the most influential global activists in the water sector , passed away on March 29 , 2017 . Piers Cross worked in the World Bank ’ s Water and Sanitation Program ( WSP ) for over 20 years in different positions , including Global Manager and Regional Director for Africa and South Asia .
The late Piers Cross
He also played crucial roles in other water global agencies such as UNICEF , UN-HABITAT , the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation , the UNDP , as well as donor agencies , governments and NGOs .
Piers always had the poor very close to his heart . He was a dynamic and personable man as well as an innovative , out-of-the-box thinker who believed profoundly in the participatory process when developing sanitation projects . His career was full of highlights and achievements , and not just for what he did , but how he did it . He mentored younger colleagues , challenged his peers and managed to inject a sense of fun and adventure into discussions that nonetheless tacked serious issues .
Those who had the privilege to work with Piers also recall his love for his family : his wife , Lynda , his four children , his grandchildren , and a seemingly overflowing house full of extended family and friends . We join them all in our grief that Piers is no longer by our side , but a desire to celebrate and remember his remarkable life .
We are deeply grateful to Piers Cross for paving the way towards a water-secure world for all . We have lost a much loved friend and colleague . His legacy will not be forgotten .
Carole Wamuyu Wainaina , named Chief Operating Officer for Africa50
Africa50 , the pan-African infrastructure investment platform capitalized by the African Development Bank , 23 African countries , and two African Central Banks , is pleased to announce the appointment of Carole Wamuyu Wainaina as Chief Operating Officer .
Carole Wamuyu Wainaina
She will lead a multi-disciplinary team on the non-investment side of the organization , including Investor Relations , Strategy , Communications , HR and Administration , and Environmental and Social Governance .
“ I am delighted to welcome Ms . Wainaina to Africa50 ,” said Akinwumi Adesina , President of the African Development Bank and Chairman of the Board of
Directors of Africa50 . She has substantial private sector experience and recognized global organizational leadership and team building skills ”.
A Kenyan , Wainaina is a well-respected senior executive with global experience in the private and public sectors at senior levels , including strategy formulation , leading multidisciplinary teams , and driving organizational change . Before joining Africa50 , she served as the Assistant Secretary General for Human Resources of the United Nations , leading transformational initiatives for the Secretary General and member states . Prior to joining the United Nations in 2014 , Ms . Wainaina held senior positions for more than two decades at multinational corporations in Turkey , the United States , the United Kingdom , the Netherlands , and Kenya .
She served for three years on the Executive Committee of Royal Philips in the Netherlands as Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer . Prior to this , she worked for 13 years at Coca-Cola in senior roles , including Chief of Staff of the Chairman and CEO , Group HR Director Eurasia and Africa , and President of the Coca-Cola Africa Foundation . She started her career at Price Waterhouse Coopers in Kenya . She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree from the University of Southern Queensland in Australia .
UNDP Executive Board welcomes appointment of Achim Steiner as new Administrator
Apr 19 , 2017
UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner . Photo courtesy of David Fisher / Oxford Martin School .
New York – The President of the Executive Board of the United Nations Development Programme ( UNDP ) today welcomed the appointment of Achim Steiner as the Organization ’ s new Administrator .
Mr Steiner ’ s nomination for UNDP Administrator was forwarded by Secretary-General António Guterres to the General Assembly , which today confirmed him as the Administrator of UNDP for a term of four years . UNDP supports countries around
Achim Steiner the world to eradicate extreme poverty , strengthen good governance and prevent and respond to crises .
President of the UNDP Executive Board , Ib Petersen , Permanent Representative of Denmark to the UN , said : “ I know that I am speaking on behalf of all members of the Executive Board and all UNDP staff in warmly welcoming Achim Steiner as UNDP ’ s new Administrator .
“ Achim Steiner brings a wealth of experience , expertise
28 Africa Water , Sanitation & Hygiene • May - June 2017