Bob Saum became the World Bank Regional Country Director for Eastern Europe, based in Kyiv, in July 2024.
In his previous role as the Chief Financial Management Officer and a Director of Operational Policy, Mr. Saum provided strategic direction on the acquisition of $6 billion of COVID-19 vaccines, leading teams supporting countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. He also directed operational engagement with UN agencies that involved over $10 billion in financing over the past six years and guided “fit for purpose” implementation of operational policies in Fragile, Conflict and Violence environments to maximize development results.
Earlier, Mr. Saum worked as Country Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan, and Country Director for Afghanistan. As the Director for Regional Integration and Partnerships in South Asia, he promoted economic integration and cooperation among countries and with neighboring regions.
Between 2009 and 2012, Mr. Saum was Adviser to Managing Director Sri Mulyani Indrawati. He also worked as Manager for Financial Management in the South Asia Region.
Prior to joining the World Bank in 1998, Bob Saum worked for NGOs that focused on relief and development activities in Pakistan, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Kenya, and East Jerusalem.
He holds a Master of International Management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management in Phoenix, Arizona and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a minor in political science from the University of Dayton.
