A national of Kuwait with a reputation for excellence and strategic vision in international leadership and executive strategy across diverse geopolitical and multicultural environments, Dr. Merza Hasan was elected in 2006 to represent thirteen countries as Executive Director to the World Bank Group (WBG). His passion for international development, intellectual rigor, integrity and accountability in governance while building consensus with a variety of stakeholders continued to ensure Dr. Hasan’s unblemished Chairmanship as Dean of the Board of Executive Directors at the World Bank Group since 2012. In his current role, Dr. Hasan has a dual responsibility to his Constituency and the WBG Management; as he considers and decides on the proposals made by the President on IBRD loans and guarantees, IDA credits and grants, IFC investments, MIGA guarantees, and policies that impact the WBG operations.
Dr. Hasan’s significant and practical experience spans over three decades in Senior and Executive positions in the private and public sector as well as academia. Prior to the World Bank, Dr. Hasan was Undersecretary for Industry in Kuwait; held various positions at the University of Kuwait including Dean of the College of Business Administration; and served as the Cultural Counselor at the Embassy of Kuwait in Washington DC.
Additionally, Dr. Hasan’s chairmanship and membership in Boards of several institutions and executive committees have made him well-seasoned in fostering motivation and inspiring teams to feel empowered to accomplish strategic goals while working in the midst of complex operations, contexts, and stakeholders with competing agendas.
Dr. Hasan holds a Doctorate (Ph.D.) degree in Management Science from the Imperial College of Science, Technology, and Medicine in the United Kingdom; a Master of Science (MSc) degree in Operations Research from the George Washington University in the United States; and a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Industrial and Systems Engineering from the University of Southern California in the United States.