Catherine Bertini
Professor of Public Administration, the Maxwell School of
Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University;
WFP Executive Director; Senior Fellow, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (1992–2002)

Catherine Bertini is Professor of Public Administration at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University, New York, USA. She was Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Programme from 1992 to 2002, where she emphasized the pivotal role of women in ensuring food distribution and oversaw extensive changes that were described as a model for UN reform. Prior to this, she held various positions in both the public and private sectors in the USA.

Ms Bertini has received honorary degrees from ten universities, and a number of awards, including an Order of Merit of the Republic of Italy and the Prize of Excellence from the Association of Journalists. She is the 2003 World Food Prize Laureate. She holds a bachelor's degree in political science from the State University of New York at Albany, USA. (P.Ress)