Linda Van Gelder is World Bank Director of the Paris Office, Europe and Central Asia, a position she started in July 2022.
Previously, Ms. Van Gelder was Country Director for the Western Balkans countries, a position she held since 2017. In this role, Ms. Van Gelder was responsible for leading the dialogue on economic reform with the six countries of the Western Balkans, developing the World Bank’s country strategies, managing the World Bank portfolio, coordinating with partners, and engaging in outreach on economic growth and poverty reduction in the Western Balkans.
Prior to this, Ms. Van Gelder was the Director of Strategy and Operations for Equitable Growth, Finance and Institutions Practice Group, covering the Macroeconomic and Fiscal Management, Finance and Markets, Trade and Competitiveness, Poverty and Equity, and Governance Global Practices.
Ms. Van Gelder joined the World Bank in 1994. Her regional and country work has ranged across economic management, governance, and poverty reduction issues. She has also held several corporate positions, including leading the development of first World Bank Group strategy (2013) and as the Director for Operational Policy and Quality.
Ms. Van Gelder has a PhD in Economics from Cornell University.