Ms. Anita Bhatia serves as the Assistant Secretary-General and UN Women’s Deputy Executive Director since August 2019. Prior to that, Ms. Bhatia served since 2014 as the Director for Development Partner Relations at the World Bank Group.

Previously, she held the position of Director of Partnerships and Advisory Services Operations (2011–2014) and of Global Head of Knowledge at the International Finance Corporation (2010-2011). Ms. Bhatia also served as Head of IFC’s Latin America Advisory Operations. In addition to Latin America, she has worked in Africa, Europe, Central Asia and South and East Asia.

Ms. Anita Bhatia brings extensive experience in the area of strategic partnerships, resource mobilization and management. During her time at the IFC, she developed and expanded innovative partnerships with public and private sector partners to support its strategy in key areas, including fragile and conflict-affected states, gender equality, financial inclusion, support to women-owned businesses and other priorities critical for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Ms. Bhatia holds a BA in History from Calcutta University, an MA in Political Science from Yale University and a Juris Doctor in Law from Georgetown University.