Paschal Donohoe was appointed Managing Director and Chief Knowledge Officer of the World Bank Group in November 2025.

An Irish national, he leads the institution’s Knowledge Bank agenda, shaping how the World Bank Group generates, manages, and deploys knowledge to advance the mission to fight poverty and improve quality of life in emerging markets and developing economies.

As Chief Knowledge Officer, Mr. Donohoe oversees strategic engagement with governments, civil society, foundations, and philanthropic partners, ensuring that the World Bank Group remains a trusted global platform for proven solutions, policy guidance, and development innovation. His work supports the institution’s mission to deliver practical, scalable, and results-driven knowledge to sovereign and private sector clients alike.

Prior to joining the World Bank Group, Mr. Donohoe served as Ireland’s Minister for Finance and as President of the Eurogroup of finance ministers, a position to which he was first elected in July 2020 and subsequently re-elected, commencing his third term in July 2025. He also served as Chairman of the Board of Governors of the European Stability Mechanism.

Over more than two decades in public service, Mr. Donohoe held several senior ministerial roles, including Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery, and Reform; Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport; and Minister for European Affairs at the Department of the Taoiseach and the Department of Foreign Affairs. He was first elected to Dáil Éireann in 2011 and served as a member of key parliamentary committees, including Public Accounts, EU Affairs, and Transport, and chaired the “Ireland’s Future in Europe” Parliamentary Committee. He was a member of Seanad Éireann (2007 - 2011) and also served as member of Dublin City Council (2004 - 2007).

Before entering political life, he worked in Sales and Marketing for Procter & Gamble.

He is a graduate of Trinity College Dublin, where he earned a degree in Politics and Economics, and attended St. Declan’s Christian Brothers School. In 2024 he was recognized as ‘European of the Year’ by the European Movement of Ireland. In 2025 he received the honor of ‘Chevalier Legion d’Honneur’ from the Government of France.