Open Society Foundations Executive and Leadership Team

October, 2026

Leadership Overview

Open Society Foundations has 10 executives leading key functions including strategy, operations, information technology, and administrative governance.

Committed to advancing democratic governance and human rights, Open Society Foundations drives global impact through extensive grantmaking, strategic litigation, and advocacy to foster equity and justice across diverse international regions.

Leadership Roles at Open Society Foundations

  • Chief Operating Officer - Leela Ramdhani
  • Interim Chief Operating Officer - Maija Arbolino
  • Operations Officer & Chief Operating Officer, Office of - Fatima Munoz
  • Administrative Officer, President's Office - Rita Lo
  • President, FNJ - Henry Lesquen
  • President - Binaifer Nowrojee
  • Chief Information Officer - Yalan Teng
  • Deputy Chief Information Officer - Sofie Gekhel
  • Global Chief Information Officer - Marilyn Law
  • Chief Operations Officer - Caroline Anstey
  • Leela Ramdhani - Chief Operating Officer

    Leela Ramdhani, the Chief Operating Officer at Open Society Foundations, directs internal scaling and organizational efficiency across the global philanthropic network. Ramdhani manages the infrastructure required to support grantmaking initiatives, ensuring that resources reach independent groups working on rights and justice. By optimizing internal workflows, the Chief Operating Officer aligns operational capacity with the broader mission of advancing democratic governance. Leela Ramdhani monitors performance metrics to maintain high standards of accountability within the diverse international offices. This leadership role involves coordinating with regional teams to streamline administrative processes and enhance the effectiveness of impact investments. Through rigorous oversight of internal systems, the Chief Operating Officer facilitates the seamless execution of complex advocacy programs. Ultimately, Ramdhani strengthens the organizational foundation, allowing the network to respond effectively to emerging human rights challenges while maintaining operational excellence across all global jurisdictions.
    Leela Ramdhani

    Maija Arbolino - Interim Chief Operating Officer

    Maija Arbolino, the Interim Chief Operating Officer at Open Society Foundations, manages the continuity of business operations during periods of organizational transition. Arbolino oversees the administrative functions that support the foundation's extensive grantmaking and impact investment portfolios. By coordinating with various departments, the Interim Chief Operating Officer ensures that strategic objectives remain on track while maintaining operational stability. Maija Arbolino monitors the execution of internal policies to uphold the integrity of the philanthropic network's mission. This leadership role involves facilitating communication between the executive team and regional offices to ensure alignment on core priorities. Through the careful management of resources, the Interim Chief Operating Officer supports the ongoing work of independent groups focused on rights and justice. Ultimately, Arbolino provides the necessary oversight to sustain organizational momentum, ensuring that the foundation continues to advance democratic governance and human rights without interruption during this period of leadership adjustment.

    Fatima Munoz - Operations Officer & Chief Operating Officer, Office of

    Fatima Munoz, the Operations Officer & Chief Operating Officer, Office of at Open Society Foundations, manages the daily administrative functions within the executive leadership suite. Munoz coordinates the operational activities that enable the President and other senior leaders to execute the foundation's global strategy. By streamlining communication and project management within the office, the Operations Officer & Chief Operating Officer, Office of ensures that high-level decisions translate into actionable initiatives across the network. Fatima Munoz oversees the logistical support required for strategic litigation and advocacy efforts, ensuring that teams possess the necessary resources to advance human rights. This role involves managing the interface between the executive office and the broader organization to maintain operational coherence. Through the optimization of internal processes, the Operations Officer & Chief Operating Officer, Office of enhances the efficiency of the leadership team. Ultimately, Munoz supports the foundation's mission by ensuring that executive operations function with precision and clarity.
    Fatima Munoz

    Rita Lo - Administrative Officer, President's Office

    Rita Lo, the Administrative Officer, President's Office at Open Society Foundations, manages the administrative functions that support the President's strategic agenda. Lo coordinates the scheduling, correspondence, and logistical requirements that enable the President to lead the global philanthropic network effectively. By facilitating communication between the President and the Board, the Administrative Officer, President's Office ensures that leadership decisions align with the foundation's mission of advancing human rights. Rita Lo oversees the preparation of materials for high-level meetings and advocacy events, ensuring that the President possesses the necessary information to represent the organization. This role involves managing the flow of information within the executive office to maintain operational efficiency. Through the careful organization of executive priorities, the Administrative Officer, President's Office enhances the impact of the foundation's leadership. Ultimately, Lo supports the President in driving the strategic vision of the organization, ensuring that all administrative activities contribute to the broader goals of equity and justice.
    Rita Lo

    Henry Lesquen - President, FNJ

    Henry Lesquen, the President, FNJ at Open Society Foundations, directs the strategic initiatives and operational focus of the FNJ division. Lesquen oversees the specific grantmaking and advocacy programs that fall under this branch, ensuring alignment with the foundation's broader mission of promoting democratic governance. By managing the relationships with independent groups and partners, the President, FNJ drives the impact of the foundation's work in rights and justice. Henry Lesquen monitors the performance of regional projects to ensure that resources support the most effective initiatives. This leadership role involves collaborating with other C-suite executives to integrate FNJ's efforts into the global strategy of the organization. Through the development of targeted advocacy campaigns, the President, FNJ enhances the foundation's influence in key areas of human rights. Ultimately, Lesquen leads the division with a focus on achieving measurable outcomes, ensuring that the foundation's commitment to equity remains central to all activities.

    Binaifer Nowrojee - President

    Binaifer Nowrojee, the President at Open Society Foundations, directs the overall strategic vision and global operations of the philanthropic network. Nowrojee oversees the foundation's extensive grantmaking, research, and advocacy efforts, ensuring that all initiatives advance democratic governance and human rights. By leading the executive team, the President coordinates the efforts of various departments to maximize the impact of the foundation's work in equity and justice. Binaifer Nowrojee engages with international partners and stakeholders to promote the foundation's mission across dozens of countries. This leadership role involves setting the long-term goals for the organization and ensuring that resources are allocated to the most critical areas of need. Through the oversight of strategic litigation and impact investment, the President drives the foundation's influence on global policy. Ultimately, Nowrojee guides the organization toward achieving its core mission, ensuring that the foundation remains a leading force for positive change in the global landscape.
    Binaifer Nowrojee

    Yalan Teng - Chief Information Officer

    Yalan Teng, the Chief Information Officer at Open Society Foundations, architects the digital infrastructure necessary for a global philanthropic network. Teng oversees the secure management of data systems that track grantmaking, research, and advocacy efforts across dozens of countries. By implementing robust cybersecurity protocols, the Chief Information Officer protects sensitive information related to strategic litigation and human rights initiatives. Yalan Teng drives the digital transformation of internal processes, ensuring that teams possess the technological tools required for effective collaboration. This role involves managing the enterprise architecture to support the foundation's mission of promoting equity and justice. Through the deployment of scalable cloud solutions, the Chief Information Officer enhances the ability of the organization to analyze impact data and report on progress. Ultimately, Teng secures the technological backbone of the network, enabling seamless communication and data-driven decision-making across all international operations.

    Sofie Gekhel - Deputy Chief Information Officer

    Sofie Gekhel, the Deputy Chief Information Officer at Open Society Foundations, supports the development and maintenance of critical information systems. Gekhel focuses on the integration of data management platforms that facilitate the foundation's global grantmaking and research activities. By assisting in the oversight of IT operations, the Deputy Chief Information Officer ensures that technical resources remain aligned with the needs of advocacy teams working on democratic governance. Sofie Gekhel manages specific projects related to system upgrades and digital security, contributing to the overall resilience of the network's infrastructure. This leadership role involves collaborating with regional offices to standardize technology usage and improve data accessibility. Through the optimization of internal software tools, the Deputy Chief Information Officer enhances the efficiency of administrative workflows. Ultimately, Gekhel strengthens the digital capabilities of the organization, ensuring that teams possess reliable access to the information required for advancing human rights globally.

    Marilyn Law - Global Chief Information Officer

    Marilyn Law, the Global Chief Information Officer at Open Society Foundations, directs the overarching technology strategy for the entire international network. Law oversees the implementation of global data governance policies that support the foundation's research and grantmaking activities. By managing the enterprise-wide IT budget and resource allocation, the Global Chief Information Officer ensures that technology investments align with the mission of promoting democratic governance. Marilyn Law leads the development of secure communication channels that allow teams in dozens of countries to collaborate on sensitive human rights projects. This leadership role involves evaluating emerging technologies to improve the efficiency of advocacy and impact investment efforts. Through the standardization of digital platforms, the Global Chief Information Officer enhances the ability of the organization to track and report on global impact. Ultimately, Law secures the technological future of the network, providing the infrastructure necessary for sustained global influence.
    Marilyn Law

    Caroline Anstey - Chief Operations Officer

    Caroline Anstey, the Chief Operations Officer at Open Society Foundations, manages the supply chain and logistical frameworks that support the foundation's global philanthropic activities. Anstey oversees the operational aspects of grantmaking and research, ensuring that resources reach independent groups effectively. By optimizing the distribution of funds and support services, the Chief Operations Officer facilitates the foundation's work in rights, equity, and justice. Caroline Anstey coordinates with regional offices to ensure that operational practices comply with local regulations while maintaining global standards. This leadership role involves managing the physical and administrative infrastructure that enables the network to function across diverse international environments. Through the implementation of efficient operational models, the Chief Operations Officer enhances the impact of the foundation's advocacy and strategic litigation efforts. Ultimately, Anstey drives the operational success of the organization, ensuring that the foundation remains a powerful force for democratic governance and human rights worldwide.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Open Society Foundations Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Open Society Foundations?
    Open Society Foundations is led by Leela Ramdhani (Chief Operating Officer), along with executives such as Maija Arbolino (Interim Chief Operating Officer) and Fatima Munoz (Operations Officer & Chief Operating Officer, Office of).
    Who is part of Open Society Foundations’s executive team?
    The executive team of Open Society Foundations includes leaders such as Leela Ramdhani (Chief Operating Officer), Maija Arbolino (Interim Chief Operating Officer), Fatima Munoz (Operations Officer & Chief Operating Officer, Office of) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Open Society Foundations have?
    Open Society Foundations has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Open Society Foundations’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Open Society Foundations includes roles such as Chief Operating Officer, Interim Chief Operating Officer, Operations Officer & Chief Operating Officer, Office of, Administrative Officer, President's Office, President, FNJ.