Sanitation and Water for All has appointed Catarina de Albuquerque as Chief Executive Officer effective 3 September 2018. Ms. de Albuquerque has been working as the partnership’s Executive Chair since 2015 and was appointed SWA’s first Chief Executive Officer after an update of the partnership’s governance structure.
Announcing Ms. de Albuquerque’s appointment, The Hon. Kevin Rudd, SWA’s high-level Chair said: “After a comprehensive search and selection process, we are delighted to have Catarina de Albuquerque as SWA’s first Chief Executive Officer. Catarina is an impressive talent, and is known for her collaborative leadership style, energy and drive. This appointment builds on the success and recognition she achieved as SWA's Executive Chair over the past three years, and in her previous role as the first United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights to Safe Drinking Water and Sanitation. Catarina is the ideal person to lead SWA into the future.”
Reflecting on her appointment, Ms. de Albuquerque said: “I am honoured to have been selected to lead this enthusiastic and multi-faceted partnership. This is an exciting time for SWA, as our work towards achieving water, sanitation and hygiene-related targets of the Sustainable Development Goals gains momentum. I am determined to continue to deepen and expand SWA’s unique approach of political prioritization of our sector, aid effectiveness, strong government leadership, multi-stakeholder engagement and mutual accountability.”
As Chief Executive Officer, Ms de Albuquerque will provide strategic leadership to the SWA partnership, compatible with its vision and high-level objectives. She will manage SWA’s Secretariat and oversee all operational, executive and fundraising activities.