World Vision Executive and Leadership Team

August, 2026

Leadership Overview

World Vision has 10 executives leading key functions including strategy, information technology, financial management, regional operations, and human resources.

Committed to fighting global poverty through relief and development, World Vision empowers vulnerable communities by combining staff expertise with donated goods to create sustainable, long-term change.

Leadership Roles at World Vision

  • Chief Executive Officer - Susan Mbulirwa
  • Chief Financial Officer - Rebecca Lees
  • Chief Financial Officer & Corporate Support - Luís Assunção
  • Chief Operating Officer and SDO - Southern Africa Region - Abi Riak
  • Chief Operating Officer, ) (South, Asia Pacific, Asia Pacific) - Sarah Bearup
  • Executive Director, President's Office - Brian Sytsma
  • Chief Information Officer - Bogdan Nita
  • Global Director, Enterprise Information Technology Services & Chief Technology Officer - Terence Yong
  • Chief Information Officer & IT Vice President, Digital - Horace Matthews
  • Chief People Officer - Eman Zarour
  • Susan Mbulirwa - Chief Executive Officer

    Susan Mbulirwa, the Chief Executive Officer at World Vision, directs the overarching strategic vision for this global relief and development organization. Mbulirwa architects the mission-critical initiatives that combine staff efforts with donated goods to combat poverty across diverse international landscapes. By aligning the board of directors with the core humanitarian objectives, the Chief Executive Officer ensures that resources reach the most vulnerable populations effectively. Mbulirwa maintains rigorous oversight of organizational performance, driving the expansion of development programs that address systemic inequality. This leadership role involves constant engagement with global stakeholders to secure the necessary support for long-term poverty alleviation. Through the implementation of scalable relief models, Susan Mbulirwa strengthens the operational capacity of the entire organization. Ultimately, the Chief Executive Officer fosters a culture of accountability and impact, ensuring that every resource contributes directly to the mission of transforming lives in impoverished regions worldwide.

    Rebecca Lees - Chief Financial Officer

    Rebecca Lees, the Chief Financial Officer at World Vision, oversees the fiscal health and resource allocation strategies for this international relief organization. Lees manages the complex financial reporting required to maintain donor trust while funding critical development programs that fight poverty. By architecting robust budgeting frameworks, the Chief Financial Officer ensures that donated goods and monetary contributions translate into maximum impact for communities in need. Rebecca Lees works closely with the board to monitor financial risks and maintain compliance across various global jurisdictions. This leadership role involves optimizing capital distribution to support the most urgent relief efforts while maintaining long-term sustainability. Through the implementation of rigorous financial controls, Lees secures the economic foundation of the organization. Ultimately, the Chief Financial Officer drives the fiscal discipline necessary to expand the reach of humanitarian initiatives and ensure that every dollar supports the core mission of poverty reduction.

    Luís Assunção - Chief Financial Officer & Corporate Support

    Luís Assunção, the Chief Financial Officer & Corporate Support at World Vision, manages the financial operations and corporate infrastructure that sustain the organization's global relief efforts. Assunção oversees the allocation of resources to ensure that donated goods and funds are utilized effectively to fight poverty. By directing corporate support functions, the Chief Financial Officer & Corporate Support provides the necessary administrative backbone for field operations to succeed. Luís Assunção works with executive leadership to maintain financial transparency and accountability across all departments. This leadership role involves managing the financial risks associated with international development projects and ensuring compliance with global standards. Through the optimization of corporate processes, Assunção improves the overall efficiency of the organization. Ultimately, the Chief Financial Officer & Corporate Support drives the financial stability required to support the long-term mission of transforming lives in impoverished communities around the world.

    Abi Riak - Chief Operating Officer and SDO - Southern Africa Region

    Abi Riak, the Chief Operating Officer and SDO - Southern Africa Region at World Vision, directs the execution of relief and development programs across the Southern Africa region. Riak manages the logistical coordination of donated goods, ensuring that essential supplies reach impoverished communities with precision and speed. By overseeing regional field operations, the Chief Operating Officer and SDO - Southern Africa Region aligns local development projects with the broader organizational mission of poverty alleviation. Abi Riak collaborates with regional staff to implement sustainable solutions that address the specific needs of the local population. This leadership role involves managing complex supply chains and field-level partnerships to maximize the effectiveness of humanitarian aid. Through the optimization of operational workflows, Riak enhances the delivery of services in challenging environments. Ultimately, the Chief Operating Officer and SDO - Southern Africa Region drives the regional strategy to ensure that relief efforts create lasting, positive change.

    Sarah Bearup - Chief Operating Officer, ) (South, Asia Pacific, Asia Pacific)

    Sarah Bearup, the Chief Operating Officer, ) (South, Asia Pacific, Asia Pacific) at World Vision, manages the operational delivery of development programs throughout the Asia Pacific region. Bearup architects the logistical frameworks that allow for the efficient distribution of donated goods to communities facing extreme poverty. By overseeing regional field teams, the Chief Operating Officer, ) (South, Asia Pacific, Asia Pacific) ensures that relief efforts remain consistent with the organization's global standards for quality and impact. Sarah Bearup coordinates with local stakeholders to identify and address the most pressing needs within the region. This leadership role involves streamlining operational processes to improve the speed of humanitarian response during crises. Through the implementation of effective project management strategies, Bearup enhances the overall capacity of the organization to serve vulnerable populations. Ultimately, the Chief Operating Officer, ) (South, Asia Pacific, Asia Pacific) drives the regional operational success required to sustain long-term development goals.
    Sarah Bearup

    Brian Sytsma - Executive Director, President's Office

    Brian Sytsma, the Executive Director, President's Office at World Vision, manages the strategic operations and communications for the office of the President. Sytsma architects the internal processes that allow the President to effectively lead the organization in its fight against global poverty. By overseeing the flow of information and coordinating with other executive leaders, the Executive Director, President's Office ensures that the organization's mission remains the primary focus of all strategic initiatives. Brian Sytsma facilitates the execution of high-level projects that involve the distribution of donated goods and the management of development programs. This leadership role involves managing stakeholder relationships and ensuring that the President's vision is communicated clearly across the organization. Through the optimization of executive workflows, Sytsma enhances the overall efficiency of the leadership team. Ultimately, the Executive Director, President's Office drives the operational success necessary to support the organization's long-term humanitarian goals.
    Brian Sytsma

    Bogdan Nita - Chief Information Officer

    Bogdan Nita, the Chief Information Officer at World Vision, manages the digital infrastructure required to support complex relief and development operations. Nita designs secure data systems that track the distribution of donated goods, ensuring transparency and efficiency in the fight against poverty. By integrating advanced analytics into the organizational workflow, the Chief Information Officer enables data-driven decision-making for field teams operating in remote areas. Bogdan Nita collaborates with other C-suite leaders to modernize the technological framework, facilitating seamless communication across global offices. This role involves protecting sensitive information while optimizing the digital tools that staff members utilize to manage development projects. Through the deployment of robust software solutions, Nita enhances the speed and accuracy of humanitarian responses. Ultimately, the Chief Information Officer drives the digital transformation necessary to sustain the long-term impact of the organization in challenging environments.

    Terence Yong - Global Director, Enterprise Information Technology Services & Chief Technology Officer

    Terence Yong, the Global Director, Enterprise Information Technology Services & Chief Technology Officer at World Vision, leads the development of scalable technology platforms that support global relief operations. Yong architects the enterprise-wide IT strategy, ensuring that staff members have access to reliable tools for managing donated goods and development data. By overseeing the integration of new technologies, the Global Director, Enterprise Information Technology Services & Chief Technology Officer enables the organization to operate more efficiently in diverse geographic markets. Terence Yong collaborates with other technology leaders to secure the digital infrastructure against emerging threats. This role involves managing the lifecycle of enterprise software and hardware to support the mission of fighting poverty. Through the deployment of innovative technical solutions, Yong enhances the connectivity and productivity of the global workforce. Ultimately, the Global Director, Enterprise Information Technology Services & Chief Technology Officer drives the technological advancement necessary to sustain the organization's humanitarian impact.

    Horace Matthews - Chief Information Officer & IT Vice President, Digital

    Horace Matthews, the Chief Information Officer & IT Vice President, Digital at World Vision, leads the digital strategy and information technology initiatives that empower the organization's relief and development work. Matthews architects the digital platforms that facilitate the tracking and distribution of donated goods to communities in need. By overseeing the IT department, the Chief Information Officer & IT Vice President, Digital ensures that staff members possess the tools required to manage complex humanitarian projects. Horace Matthews collaborates with other leaders to implement digital solutions that improve operational transparency and data accuracy. This role involves managing the technological roadmap to support the organization's mission of fighting poverty. Through the deployment of advanced digital systems, Matthews enhances the efficiency of global operations. Ultimately, the Chief Information Officer & IT Vice President, Digital drives the digital innovation necessary to sustain the long-term impact of the organization's development programs.

    Eman Zarour - Chief People Officer

    Eman Zarour, the Chief People Officer at World Vision, directs the human resources strategy and talent management initiatives for the global workforce. Zarour architects the organizational culture that supports staff members in their mission to fight poverty through relief and development. By overseeing recruitment, training, and employee engagement, the Chief People Officer ensures that the organization attracts and retains the talent necessary to manage donated goods and field projects effectively. Eman Zarour collaborates with other C-suite leaders to align workforce capabilities with the strategic goals of the organization. This leadership role involves fostering an inclusive environment that empowers staff to deliver high-quality humanitarian services. Through the implementation of robust talent development programs, Zarour strengthens the internal capacity of the organization. Ultimately, the Chief People Officer drives the human capital strategy required to sustain the long-term mission of transforming lives in impoverished regions.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding World Vision Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads World Vision?
    World Vision is led by Susan Mbulirwa (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Rebecca Lees (Chief Financial Officer) and Luís Assunção (Chief Financial Officer & Corporate Support).
    Who is part of World Vision’s executive team?
    The executive team of World Vision includes leaders such as Susan Mbulirwa (Chief Executive Officer), Rebecca Lees (Chief Financial Officer), Luís Assunção (Chief Financial Officer & Corporate Support) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does World Vision have?
    World Vision has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in World Vision’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of World Vision includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Financial Officer & Corporate Support, Chief Operating Officer and SDO - Southern Africa Region, Chief Operating Officer, ) (South, Asia Pacific, Asia Pacific).