Oct 15 2010
Dr. Ann M Veneman
The Fifth Executive Director of UNICEF (2005 – 2010)
Ann Veneman recently completed a five-year term as executive director of the United Nations Children’s Fund, travelling to more than 60 countries to review the plight of children and UNICEF’s work to assist them. In a personal capacity, she serves on the Board of the Close Up Foundation and has previously served on a number of advisory councils and committees. A champion of UN coherence and a strong voice for children as well as Millennium Development Goal implementation, her legacy at UNICEF is an organization that is financially and intellectually strong and well-equipped to meet the challenges children face in the twenty-first century.
In 2009, Ann Veneman was named to the Forbes 100 Most Powerful Women list, ranking #46
A lawyer by training, Veneman has practiced law in Washington, DC and California. Prior to joining UNICEF, Ann Veneman served as Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), overseeing 110,000 employees and an annual budget of $113 billion. In 2003 she hosted the first-ever Ministerial Conference on Science and Technology, bringing together leaders from 120 nations. She held various other positions at USDA, including Deputy Secretary, Deputy Undersecretary for International Affairs and Commodity Programs and Associate Administer of the Foreign Agricultural Service. She also served as Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture. [/expand]
With first-hand knowledge of how children’s lives are saved and having stressed a culture of continuous improvement to help achieve lasting results for children, Ann Veneman offers insights into her leadership and vision that has been recognized both nationally and internationally. She has helped children around the world by advocating for and protecting their rights.[/expand]
The first woman to become the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Ann Veneman is a distinguished orator who impresses with her extraordinary energy and immense dedication. She has become a catalyst for global action to help children reach their full potential.[/expand]
Watch a video presentation of Ann M. Veneman
Topics
Addressing Global Health: A Key Priority for Development
UNICEF
Agriculture
Nutrition
Food
Globalization
Ethics and Values
Politics
Awards & Recognition
Ann Veneman has received numerous awards and distinctions throughout her career, including the Outstanding Woman in International Trade Award; Food Research and Action Center Award; Dutch American Heritage Award; Junior Statesman Foundation Statesman of the Year Award; California Council for International Trade Golden State Award; Goldman School of Public Policy Alumnus of the Year Award; History Channel Save Our History Leadership Award; Main Street Partnership John Chafee Award for Distinguished Public Service; American PVO Partners Award for Service to People in Need; Richard E. Lyng Award for Public Service; Sesame Workshop Leadership Award for Children; and Rotary Club Honorary Membership
She has also been awarded honorary doctorate degrees from several universities and colleges.
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