Ann M. Veneman assumed the leadership of UNICEF on May 1, 2005, becoming the fifth Executive Director to lead UNICEF. Prior to joining UNICEF, Veneman served as the 27th Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture from 2001 to 2005.
As the children’s agency of the United Nations, UNICEF works on the ground in more than 150 developing and transitional countries to help children survive and thrive. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for poor countries, UNICEF works to advance the Millennium Development Goals by supporting child health and nutrition, quality basic education for all, access to clean water and sanitation, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation and AIDS.
At UNICEF Veneman directs a global agency of over 10,000 staff and annual total resources of more than $3 billion, funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of governments, businesses, foundations and individuals. Since assuming the position of Executive Director, she has traveled around the world, witnessing firsthand the work of UNICEF, speaking at meetings and conferences, and visiting heads of state, government and other partners.
Veneman’s vision at UNICEF includes instilling a “sense of urgency” about the Millennium Development Goals and their 2015 deadline, as well as ensuring that the agency’s policies and programs are oriented around achieving them.
She has stressed a results-based approach that focuses on scaling up integrated packages of interventions to support children’s health and development. Veneman has also emphasized the importance of strong, effective collaboration for efficient resource utilization and maximizing results.
The editor of the Lancet medical journal praised this vision, writing: “UNICEF … has emerged under new leadership as a crucial protagonist for child survival. This commitment was not always assured. Yet UNICEF's new executive director, Ann Veneman, has pledged the agency to what amounts to a second child survival revolution.”
Veneman currently chairs the United Nations’ Standing Committee on Nutrition.
