Lisa Kaestner is Practice Manager for the World Bank Group’s Trade and Competitiveness Global Practice in Europe and Central Asia, based in IFC's Istanbul Operating Center. Her team works on projects in more than a dozen countries across the region supporting governments to improve the environment for business and investment -- including in tax, inspections and permits, trade logistics, investment policy and the regulation of key sectors such as agribusiness and infrastructure. Prior to assuming this position in 2011, Lisa led strategy for IFC in Central and Eastern Europe. In that capacity, Lisa contributed to IFC's investment and advisory projects in the region, particularly in the areas of strategy, economic analysis and development impact.

Lisa originally joined IFC in 1999 as the Corporation's representative in Georgia. Before IFC, she worked with several nonprofit development organizations in the Caucasus. Lisa holds a Master’s in Public Policy and Economics from Princeton University.