The United Nations Foundation Board of Directors has named Kathy Calvin as the new President of the UN Foundation, effective February 1, 2013.
At a meeting of the Foundation’s Board, Founder and Chairman Ted Turner announced a number of transitions designed to help the Foundation meet the challenges and opportunities of its global mission to support the United Nations: Dr. Gro Brundtland, former Prime Minister of Norway, will be Vice Chairman of the Board and will continue her role as Chairman of the Executive Committee (Dr. Brundtland chaired the committee that recommended Calvin as the new President of the UN Foundation); Senator Timothy E. Wirth will be Vice Chairman of the UN Foundation Board, transitioning from his role as founding President of the UN Foundation; Fábio Barbosa, Chief Executive Officer of Brazil’s Abril Group, will assume the chairmanship of the Foundation’s Finance Committee; and Narayana Murthy, Founder and Chairman Emeritus of Infosys Limited, will continue to chair the Audit Committee of the Foundation. The United Nations Foundation Board of Directors made these announcements at the conclusion of its semi-annual meeting in Washington, D.C. from November 12-14, 2012.
In making these announcements, Turner reiterated his commitment to the UN and said, “Since I founded the UN Foundation 15 years ago, it has become the best investment I have ever made. These appointments will help the UN Foundation continue to grow and support the UN through innovative partnerships at a global scale. I could not have made a better choice than Tim Wirth as our first President, and I am so pleased that he will become Vice Chairman of the Board. Tim and Kathy have made a great team at the top of the Foundation. As our next President and CEO, Kathy will help us meet the promise and opportunities of the coming decades.”
The Foundation connects people, ideas and resources with the United Nations to help solve key global problems. Wirth was recruited by Turner to head the UN Foundation when Turner made his historic $1 billion commitment to UN causes in 1997. Under Wirth’s leadership, the Foundation launched a set of ambitious campaigns related to improving children’s health, empowering women and attacking climate change, through partnerships with the UN, private companies, other foundations and leading entrepreneurs.
Since joining the UN Foundation nine years ago, and over the past three years as CEO, Calvin has brought together the largest network of supporters of UN issues in the United States and a global network of corporate, civil society and media partners. A recognized industry leader with corporate, political, media and public sector experience, Calvin was named one of Newsweek’s “150 Women Who Rock the World,” and in 2012 she was listed in Fast Company’s “League of Extraordinary Women.” She has received numerous awards for philanthropy and leadership.