United Nations Foundation Executive and Leadership Team

July, 2026

Leadership Overview

United Nations Foundation has 9 executives leading key functions including strategy, operations, finance, and global cooperation.

Driven by a vision for multilateral cooperation, United Nations Foundation mobilizes resources and expertise to advance UN priorities, addressing humanity's most pressing challenges through strategic grant-making and advocacy.

Leadership Roles at United Nations Foundation

  • Chief Executive Officer - Joanne Soojay
  • President & Chief Executive Officer - Elizabeth Cousens
  • Chief Financial Officer - Walter Cortes
  • Chief Operating Officer - Henry De Sio
  • Founder and President of Girl Up Club - Poorvasri Sivakumar
  • Global Cooperation Society International President - Yehin Kim
  • Council President - Sudhakar Pandit
  • Chief of Staff - Kate Dodson
  • Chief Medical Officer - Lee Norman
  • Joanne Soojay - Chief Executive Officer

    Joanne Soojay, the Chief Executive Officer at United Nations Foundation, directs the organization's overarching strategy and operational execution. Soojay ensures alignment with the core mission of strengthening support for the United Nations and amplifying its global impact. This leadership involves guiding resource mobilization efforts from philanthropic institutions, corporations, government entities, and individual donors. Overseeing the strategic direction, Joanne Soojay drives initiatives that advance UN priorities across the international development landscape. The Chief Executive Officer's role encompasses fostering collaborative solutions to global problems by convening experts, advocates, and decision-makers. This position is critical for maintaining the Foundation's role as a bridge between the UN system and diverse funding sources, ensuring substantial resources are directed to UN programs and initiatives. The focus remains on maximizing private capital for multilateral development work and enhancing policy dialogue.

    Elizabeth Cousens - President & Chief Executive Officer

    Elizabeth Cousens, the President & Chief Executive Officer at United Nations Foundation, spearheads the organization's strategic vision and global outreach. Cousens drives the mission to strengthen support for the United Nations and enhance its worldwide impact by mobilizing critical resources and political will. This executive leadership involves cultivating partnerships with diverse funding sources, including foundations, corporations, and government bodies, to advance UN priorities. The President & Chief Executive Officer ensures the Foundation effectively bridges the UN system with private capital for multilateral development. Elizabeth Cousens oversees strategic grant-making, directing significant investments into vital UN programs and initiatives. Furthermore, this role involves convening key stakeholders to foster collaborative solutions and strengthen policy dialogue on pressing global issues. The focus is on leveraging the Foundation's platform to address humanity's most significant challenges through robust multilateral cooperation.

    Walter Cortes - Chief Financial Officer

    Walter Cortes, the Chief Financial Officer at United Nations Foundation, oversees all financial operations and fiscal strategy to support the organization's mission. Cortes ensures robust financial management, enabling the Foundation to effectively mobilize resources and direct them towards UN priorities. This leadership role involves managing budgets, financial planning, and ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements for charitable organizations. The Chief Financial Officer plays a critical part in maintaining the trust of donors and partners by ensuring transparency and accountability in all financial dealings. Walter Cortes guides the financial aspects of strategic grant-making, ensuring that substantial resources are allocated efficiently to UN programs and initiatives. The focus is on financial sustainability and maximizing the impact of private capital invested in multilateral development work.

    Henry De Sio - Chief Operating Officer

    Henry De Sio, the Chief Operating Officer at United Nations Foundation, directs the day-to-day operational activities and ensures the efficient functioning of the organization. De Sio oversees the implementation of strategic initiatives aimed at strengthening support for the United Nations and expanding its global reach. This leadership role involves managing internal processes, optimizing resource allocation, and ensuring operational excellence across all departments. The Chief Operating Officer is instrumental in translating the Foundation's mission into tangible outcomes, supporting UN priorities through effective operational frameworks. Henry De Sio focuses on enhancing the organization's capacity to mobilize resources from diverse sources and direct them towards critical development work. This position requires a keen focus on operational efficiency, risk management, and the continuous improvement of the Foundation's infrastructure to support its advocacy and grant-making functions.

    Poorvasri Sivakumar - Founder and President of Girl Up Club

    Poorvasri Sivakumar, the Founder and President of Girl Up Club at United Nations Foundation, drives the vision and strategic direction for the youth leadership initiative. Sivakumar empowers young women globally to become agents of change, advocating for gender equality and UN Sustainable Development Goals. This leadership role involves mobilizing resources, building partnerships, and fostering a global community of young leaders dedicated to social impact. The Founder and President of Girl Up Club ensures the program's alignment with the Foundation's broader mission of strengthening support for the United Nations. Poorvasri Sivakumar focuses on developing leadership skills, driving advocacy campaigns, and facilitating collaborative solutions to challenges faced by girls worldwide. The impact extends to mobilizing significant youth engagement and resources for multilateral development efforts.

    Yehin Kim - Global Cooperation Society International President

    Yehin Kim, the Global Cooperation Society International President at United Nations Foundation, leads initiatives focused on fostering international collaboration and strengthening multilateral partnerships. Kim drives efforts to mobilize resources and expertise that support UN priorities and amplify global impact. This leadership role involves building bridges between diverse stakeholders, including governments, civil society, and the private sector, to address complex global challenges. The Global Cooperation Society International President ensures that collaborative frameworks are robust and effective in advancing UN objectives. Yehin Kim focuses on enhancing the Foundation's capacity to convene experts and decision-makers, promoting dialogue and shared solutions. The objective is to maximize the effectiveness of private capital and strategic advocacy in supporting multilateral development work across various sectors.

    Sudhakar Pandit - Council President

    Sudhakar Pandit, the Council President at United Nations Foundation, presides over key councils and committees dedicated to advancing the organization's strategic objectives. Pandit guides discussions and decision-making processes that strengthen support for the United Nations and enhance its global influence. This leadership role involves fostering collaboration among council members and ensuring alignment with the Foundation's mission to mobilize resources for UN priorities. The Council President plays a crucial part in shaping policy recommendations and driving advocacy campaigns. Sudhakar Pandit focuses on facilitating effective dialogue and promoting collaborative solutions to pressing global issues. The objective is to ensure that the Foundation's strategic grant-making and advocacy efforts are impactful and contribute significantly to multilateral development work.

    Kate Dodson - Chief of Staff

    Kate Dodson, the Chief of Staff at United Nations Foundation, provides direct strategic support and operational oversight to the executive leadership team. Dodson ensures seamless execution of the Foundation's mission to bolster support for the United Nations and magnify its global influence. This role involves coordinating cross-functional initiatives and managing key projects that align with UN priorities. The Chief of Staff facilitates communication and collaboration between departments, ensuring efficient resource allocation and operational effectiveness. Kate Dodson plays a crucial part in translating the organization's vision into actionable plans, driving progress on critical development goals. This position requires a deep understanding of the Foundation's operational framework and its role in mobilizing private capital for multilateral efforts. The focus is on enhancing organizational efficiency and maximizing the impact of the Foundation's advocacy and grant-making activities.

    Lee Norman - Chief Medical Officer

    Lee Norman, the Chief Medical Officer at United Nations Foundation, provides critical health expertise and strategic guidance to support the organization's global health initiatives. Norman ensures that health-related programs align with UN priorities and contribute effectively to addressing pressing global health challenges. This leadership role involves advising on public health strategies, disease prevention, and the equitable distribution of health resources. The Chief Medical Officer plays a vital part in leveraging the Foundation's platform to mobilize resources and expertise for health-focused UN programs. Lee Norman focuses on enhancing the impact of private capital directed towards multilateral health development work. This position requires a deep understanding of global health landscapes and the ability to foster collaborative solutions with international health organizations and stakeholders.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding United Nations Foundation Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads United Nations Foundation?
    United Nations Foundation is led by Joanne Soojay (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Elizabeth Cousens (President & Chief Executive Officer) and Walter Cortes (Chief Financial Officer).
    Who is part of United Nations Foundation’s executive team?
    The executive team of United Nations Foundation includes leaders such as Joanne Soojay (Chief Executive Officer), Elizabeth Cousens (President & Chief Executive Officer), Walter Cortes (Chief Financial Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does United Nations Foundation have?
    United Nations Foundation has 9 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in United Nations Foundation’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of United Nations Foundation includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, President & Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Founder and President of Girl Up Club.