As a senior finance leader, Pam O’Connell oversees financial operations, financial reporting, loan disbursement and administration, and the internal control framework for the World Bank’s two largest entities, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), the International Development Association (IDA), and their extensive trust fund portfolio. She also leads the client service function for the World Bank Group accounting business services and trust funds. She provides leadership to over 430 staff across seven global locations.
During her 20+ year career with the World Bank, Ms. O’Connell has led teams in statutory and management reporting, accounting, auditing, operational risk, accounting and financial operations, and internal controls, and brings experience in talent development, corporate governance, and technology-enabled transformation.
Prior to this position, she served as Chief Accountant & Director of the Corporate Accounting and Reporting Department, responsible for all Financial Reporting, Internal Controls, and Accounting Policy across the World Bank. From 2014 to 2018, Ms. O’Connell also provided leadership to the financial reporting function of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) – the World Bank Group’s private sector-focused entity.
From 2010 to 2014, she was the Director of Client Services, guiding activities in the captive offshore center in Chennai, India. Ms. O’Connell joined the World Bank in 1997 as the Financial Reporting Team Lead in Corporate Reporting and has also led the Accounting Policy function.
She currently represents the World Bank on the IFRS Foundation’s Integrated Reporting and Connectivity Council and represented the Bank on the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) Advisory Council from 2014 to 2020. She served six years as an Executive Director of the Bank-Fund Staff Federal Credit Union and now serves on their Loan Review Committee.
Earlier, she worked in international manufacturing at IDB Invest and in audit at Price Waterhouse. Ms. O’Connell holds a degree from The College of William and Mary and professional accounting certifications, including Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Global Management Accountant (CGMA), Operational Risk Manager, and Fundamentals of Sustainability Accounting Level II Candidate.
