Keiko Inoue

Keiko Inoue was appointed Regional Practice Director for Education and Skills, Gender, Health, and Social Policy at the World Bank Group in May 2026. In this role, she covers 23 countries in the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan region.

At the helm of a US$20 billion investment portfolio, Keiko sets strategic vision, drives investment decisions, builds knowledge, and fosters partnerships. From settings impacted by protracted crises to high income countries, she believes that a committed government, partnering with a dynamic private sector, can spawn job creation and have a multiplier effect on improving people’s lives. 

Keiko’s leadership positions at the World Bank Group include Practice Manager for Education and Skills in the South Asia region (2022-2026), Human Development Practice Leader for Bangladesh and Bhutan (2020-2022), and Human Development Practice Leader for Vietnam (2017-2020). As a technical expert, Keiko has written extensively on human capital and jobs, social sector financing, and youth resilience. Currently based in Riyadh, she was previously posted in Bangkok, Hanoi, and Washington, DC. Prior to joining the Bank, she taught at Stanford University and in Guatemala and Pakistan. Keiko holds a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania and M.A. and Ph.D. from Stanford University.