WASHINGTON, October 27, 2015—World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim today announced the appointment of Sheila Redzepi as Vice President, External and Corporate Relations for the World Bank Group.
“We’re very pleased to have Sheila Redzepi join the World Bank Group at such an important time for the organization,” said Kim. “Sheila has an impressive track record of leadership in both the public and private sectors. As we seek to respond and adapt to new challenges, Sheila’s extensive experience in advocacy, strategic communications and coalition building will help us better reach – and listen to – our wide and growing number of important stakeholders.”
Redzepi, a Danish national born in the former Yugoslavia, joins the World Bank Group from Unilever, where she has been responsible for driving the company’s global advocacy on key sustainability and strategic business priorities. Redzepi has worked alongside Unilever’s CEO across a range of industry platforms and with advocacy organizations, including the World Economic Forum, UN Global Compact, World Business Council for Sustainable Development, and the Global Commission on Climate and the Economy.
Previously, Redzepi was Unilever’s Vice President for Communications and Sustainability, responsible for external relations and issue management, employee engagement, partnerships and implementation of the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan in Europe.
Before joining Unilever in 2013, Redzepi worked for Weber Shandwick, the global communications agency, where she managed the account for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and was responsible for client service, strategic counsel, and resource allocation across multiple markets. She began her career working at the United Nations and in gender advocacy.
Redzepi earned her Masters of Philosophy in Media Studies from the University of Bergen, Norway as well as a Master of Arts in International Political Economy and a Bachelor of Arts in Modern History and Politics from the University of Sheffield, UK.
Redzepi was selected to this position through an international competitive search. Her appointment is effective January 4, 2016.
