20 Influential Community Leaders Around the World

Communities do important work in the spaces between organisations. They bring together people who may work in business, government, civil society, humanitarian response, education, public health or social change.

This list looks across those spaces. It is a current recognition directory of people leading international and cross-sector communities, not a ranking. The goal is simple: to give you a thoughtful starting point for learning who is helping groups of people work towards a shared purpose.

Because the topic is broad, the list includes leaders from different kinds of organisations. Some lead global business networks. Some lead humanitarian or migration institutions. Others guide movements, foundations and public-interest organisations. What links them is the responsibility of making a community useful, trusted and able to act.

1. Peter Bakker

President and CEO, World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)

Peter Bakker is President and CEO of World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). The current first-party source identifies the role and organisation directly, which makes this a useful inclusion in a cross-sector directory of people leading communities with a public purpose.

WBCSD describes its community as CEO-led and global, with more than 240 member businesses. That work sits inside a wider leadership challenge: helping people with different roles, places and interests move towards a shared goal. Peter Bakker is included as a person worth knowing, not as a claim about rank, popularity or organisational results.

2. Alois Zwinggi

Interim President and CEO, World Economic Forum (WEF)

Alois Zwinggi is Interim President and CEO of World Economic Forum (WEF). The current first-party source identifies the role and organisation directly, which makes this a useful inclusion in a cross-sector directory of people leading communities with a public purpose.

The Forum appointed Alois Zwinggi as Interim President and CEO after Børge Brende stepped down in February 2026. That work sits inside a wider leadership challenge: helping people with different roles, places and interests move towards a shared goal. Alois Zwinggi is included as a person worth knowing, not as a claim about rank, popularity or organisational results.

3. Sanda Ojiambo

Assistant Secretary-General and CEO, United Nations Global Compact

Sanda Ojiambo is Assistant Secretary-General and CEO of United Nations Global Compact. The current first-party source identifies the role and organisation directly, which makes this a useful inclusion in a cross-sector directory of people leading communities with a public purpose.

The UN Global Compact identifies Sanda Ojiambo as Assistant Secretary-General and CEO. That work sits inside a wider leadership challenge: helping people with different roles, places and interests move towards a shared goal. Sanda Ojiambo is included as a person worth knowing, not as a claim about rank, popularity or organisational results.

4. Hugh Evans

Co-Founder and CEO, Global Citizen

Hugh Evans is Co-Founder and CEO of Global Citizen. The current first-party source identifies the role and organisation directly, which makes this a useful inclusion in a cross-sector directory of people leading communities with a public purpose.

Global Citizen says its movement has grown to tens of millions of people around the world. That work sits inside a wider leadership challenge: helping people with different roles, places and interests move towards a shared goal. Hugh Evans is included as a person worth knowing, not as a claim about rank, popularity or organisational results.

5. Jagan Chapagain

Secretary General and CEO, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)

Jagan Chapagain is Secretary General and CEO of International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). The current first-party source identifies the role and organisation directly, which makes this a useful inclusion in a cross-sector directory of people leading communities with a public purpose.

The IFRC says its Secretary General is also its Chief Executive Officer and directs the secretariat and delegations around the world. That work sits inside a wider leadership challenge: helping people with different roles, places and interests move towards a shared goal. Jagan Chapagain is included as a person worth knowing, not as a claim about rank, popularity or organisational results.

6. Amy Pope

Director General, International Organization for Migration (IOM)

Amy Pope is Director General of International Organization for Migration (IOM). The current first-party source identifies the role and organisation directly, which makes this a useful inclusion in a cross-sector directory of people leading communities with a public purpose.

IOM says Amy Pope began her five-year term in October 2023 and is the first woman to hold the post. That work sits inside a wider leadership challenge: helping people with different roles, places and interests move towards a shared goal. Amy Pope is included as a person worth knowing, not as a claim about rank, popularity or organisational results.

7. Yasmine Sherif

Executive Director, Education Cannot Wait

Yasmine Sherif is Executive Director of Education Cannot Wait. The current first-party source identifies the role and organisation directly, which makes this a useful inclusion in a cross-sector directory of people leading communities with a public purpose.

Education Cannot Wait identifies Yasmine Sherif as its Executive Director and describes its work with governments, donors, UN agencies and civil society. That work sits inside a wider leadership challenge: helping people with different roles, places and interests move towards a shared goal. Yasmine Sherif is included as a person worth knowing, not as a claim about rank, popularity or organisational results.

8. Damilola Ogunbiyi

CEO and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, Sustainable Energy for All

Damilola Ogunbiyi is CEO and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General of Sustainable Energy for All. The current first-party source identifies the role and organisation directly, which makes this a useful inclusion in a cross-sector directory of people leading communities with a public purpose.

Sustainable Energy for All identifies Damilola Ogunbiyi as CEO and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General. That work sits inside a wider leadership challenge: helping people with different roles, places and interests move towards a shared goal. Damilola Ogunbiyi is included as a person worth knowing, not as a claim about rank, popularity or organisational results.

9. Mindy Lubber

CEO and President, Ceres

Mindy Lubber is CEO and President of Ceres. The current first-party source identifies the role and organisation directly, which makes this a useful inclusion in a cross-sector directory of people leading communities with a public purpose.

Ceres says Mindy Lubber has been at its helm since 2003 and leads its investor, company and policy networks. That work sits inside a wider leadership challenge: helping people with different roles, places and interests move towards a shared goal. Mindy Lubber is included as a person worth knowing, not as a claim about rank, popularity or organisational results.

10. Shamil Idriss

CEO, Search for Common Ground

Shamil Idriss is CEO of Search for Common Ground. The current first-party source identifies the role and organisation directly, which makes this a useful inclusion in a cross-sector directory of people leading communities with a public purpose.

Search for Common Ground identifies Shamil Idriss as CEO of the peacebuilding organisation. That work sits inside a wider leadership challenge: helping people with different roles, places and interests move towards a shared goal. Shamil Idriss is included as a person worth knowing, not as a claim about rank, popularity or organisational results.

11. Cheryl Dorsey

CEO, Echoing Green

Cheryl Dorsey is CEO of Echoing Green. The current first-party source identifies the role and organisation directly, which makes this a useful inclusion in a cross-sector directory of people leading communities with a public purpose.

Echoing Green says Cheryl Dorsey became CEO in July 2025 and remains an ex officio board member. That work sits inside a wider leadership challenge: helping people with different roles, places and interests move towards a shared goal. Cheryl Dorsey is included as a person worth knowing, not as a claim about rank, popularity or organisational results.

12. Ashok Sinha

CEO, Ashden

Ashok Sinha is CEO of Ashden. The current first-party source identifies the role and organisation directly, which makes this a useful inclusion in a cross-sector directory of people leading communities with a public purpose.

Ashden says Ashok Sinha became its CEO after leading the London Cycling Campaign. That work sits inside a wider leadership challenge: helping people with different roles, places and interests move towards a shared goal. Ashok Sinha is included as a person worth knowing, not as a claim about rank, popularity or organisational results.

13. Jeroo Billimoria

Chief Facilitator, Catalyst 2030

Jeroo Billimoria is Chief Facilitator of Catalyst 2030. The current first-party source identifies the role and organisation directly, which makes this a useful inclusion in a cross-sector directory of people leading communities with a public purpose.

Catalyst 2030 names Jeroo Billimoria as Chief Facilitator and describes her as a serial social entrepreneur. That work sits inside a wider leadership challenge: helping people with different roles, places and interests move towards a shared goal. Jeroo Billimoria is included as a person worth knowing, not as a claim about rank, popularity or organisational results.

14. Vivek Maru

CEO, Namati

Vivek Maru is CEO of Namati. The current first-party source identifies the role and organisation directly, which makes this a useful inclusion in a cross-sector directory of people leading communities with a public purpose.

Namati says Vivek Maru co-founded Timap for Justice and leads its movement for people who know, use and shape the law. That work sits inside a wider leadership challenge: helping people with different roles, places and interests move towards a shared goal. Vivek Maru is included as a person worth knowing, not as a claim about rank, popularity or organisational results.

15. Tiffany Yu

Founder and CEO, Diversability

Tiffany Yu is Founder and CEO of Diversability. The current first-party source identifies the role and organisation directly, which makes this a useful inclusion in a cross-sector directory of people leading communities with a public purpose.

Diversability says it is created and run entirely by disabled people, and names Tiffany Yu as Founder and CEO. That work sits inside a wider leadership challenge: helping people with different roles, places and interests move towards a shared goal. Tiffany Yu is included as a person worth knowing, not as a claim about rank, popularity or organisational results.

16. Elizabeth Cousens

President and Chief Executive Officer, United Nations Foundation

Elizabeth Cousens is President and Chief Executive Officer of United Nations Foundation. The current first-party source identifies the role and organisation directly, which makes this a useful inclusion in a cross-sector directory of people leading communities with a public purpose.

The UN Foundation says Elizabeth Cousens became its third President and CEO in 2020. That work sits inside a wider leadership challenge: helping people with different roles, places and interests move towards a shared goal. Elizabeth Cousens is included as a person worth knowing, not as a claim about rank, popularity or organisational results.

17. Julia Gillard

Chair, Global Institute for Women’s Leadership, King’s College London

Julia Gillard is Chair of Global Institute for Women’s Leadership, King’s College London. The current first-party source identifies the role and organisation directly, which makes this a useful inclusion in a cross-sector directory of people leading communities with a public purpose.

King’s College London identifies Julia Gillard as the inaugural Chair of its Global Institute for Women’s Leadership. That work sits inside a wider leadership challenge: helping people with different roles, places and interests move towards a shared goal. Julia Gillard is included as a person worth knowing, not as a claim about rank, popularity or organisational results.

18. Sania Nishtar

Chief Executive Officer, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance

Sania Nishtar is Chief Executive Officer of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. The current first-party source identifies the role and organisation directly, which makes this a useful inclusion in a cross-sector directory of people leading communities with a public purpose.

Gavi identifies Dr Sania Nishtar as Chief Executive Officer and says she joined its Secretariat in March 2024. That work sits inside a wider leadership challenge: helping people with different roles, places and interests move towards a shared goal. Sania Nishtar is included as a person worth knowing, not as a claim about rank, popularity or organisational results.

19. Mavis Owusu-Gyamfi

President and CEO, African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET)

Mavis Owusu-Gyamfi is President and CEO of African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET). The current first-party source identifies the role and organisation directly, which makes this a useful inclusion in a cross-sector directory of people leading communities with a public purpose.

ACET says Mavis Owusu-Gyamfi helps build an ecosystem of policy institutes across Africa. That work sits inside a wider leadership challenge: helping people with different roles, places and interests move towards a shared goal. Mavis Owusu-Gyamfi is included as a person worth knowing, not as a claim about rank, popularity or organisational results.

20. David Miliband

President and CEO, International Rescue Committee (IRC)

David Miliband is President and CEO of International Rescue Committee (IRC). The current first-party source identifies the role and organisation directly, which makes this a useful inclusion in a cross-sector directory of people leading communities with a public purpose.

The IRC says David Miliband oversees its work in more than 40 crisis-affected countries. That work sits inside a wider leadership challenge: helping people with different roles, places and interests move towards a shared goal. David Miliband is included as a person worth knowing, not as a claim about rank, popularity or organisational results.

A practical way to use this list

Choose one person whose context is different from yours. Read the source linked in their entry, notice what kind of community they serve, and ask what one small leadership choice might help your own people work with more clarity.

For more practical leadership resources, explore the Working Genius FAQ, the strategy and leadership consultant guide, or the team offsite enquiry page.

Jonno White is an Australian leadership consultant, keynote speaker and author. He helps leaders build organisations people would move cities to work at. For practical leadership work, email jonno@consultclarity.org.