Who We Are
Who We Are
We are an evidence-based, multi-stakeholder initiative supported by financial institutions, business, civil society, and labour leaders worldwide.The TISFD launched in September 2024 through the collaborative efforts of its Founding Partners, a diverse set of more than 20 organisations across the public, social, and private sectors.
Steering Committee
The Steering Committee is led by our Co-Chairs and will consist of 30 senior representatives from across financial institutions, business, civil society, labour, and international organisations.Members of the Steering Committee will be selected for their individual subject-matter expertise across finance, inequality and social-related issues, as well as their sectoral and regional expertise, and will be appointed by early 2025.
Co-Chair
Arunma Oteh served at the World Bank as Vice President andTreasurer from September 30th, 2015 to November 30th 2018. AsTreasurer, she led a team that manages assets totalling USD200 billion for theWorld Bank Group, 60 central banks, sovereign wealth funds and other officialinstitutions. She and her team also maintained the World Bank’s globalreputation as a prudent and innovative borrower in over 50 currencies byexecuting well–prepared transactions and carefully coordinating credit rating andcapital market relationships for the International Bank for Reconstruction andDevelopment (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA). She wasalso responsible for an extensive financial advisory business for World Bankclients and cashflows of over $7 trillion.
Prior to joining the Bank, she served as Director General of the Securities andExchange Commission (SEC), Nigeria from 2010 to 2015. During this period, sherebuilt the Nigerian capital markets after the global financial crisis andserved on Nigeria’s Economic Management team. Prior to joining SEC Nigeria, sheworked at the Africa Development Bank for 17 years, including as Group VicePresident, Corporate Services (2006 to 2009) and as Group Treasurer (2001 to2006). She started her career at Centre Point Investments Limited, Nigeria in1985. She has served on several Boards during her 33-year career, notably,the International Organization of Securities Commissions (2010 to 2015), whichregulates 95% of the World’s securities markets and the pioneer Board of theInternational Financing Facility for Immunization(2006 to 2011). She has alsopreviously served on the World Economic Forum Agenda Council on InstitutionalGovernance, and the Africa Advisory Council for World Women’s Banking.
Co-Chair
PeterBakker is a distinguished business leader, who since 2012, has led the WorldBusiness Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) as the President &CEO. WBCSD is the premier global, CEO-led community of over 230 of the world’sleading sustainable businesses working collectively to accelerate the systemtransformations needed for a net zero, nature-positive, and equitable future. Priorto WBCSD, Peter was the CEO of TNT NV, the global transport, postal andlogistics company.
TIMEMagazine recently named Peter as one of the Top 100 Climate Leaders inBusiness. He was also a recipient of the Clinton Global Citizen Award (2009),the Sustainability Leadership Award (2010) and the Prix Voltaire International(2023). He received the royal order Officer of the Order ofOrange-Nassau in 2018 in recognition of his long-lasting commitment to engagingbusiness in tackling global sustainability issues.
Peter holdsseveral corporate sustainability advisory board positions, including asDirector of GenZero, Commissioner of the Business Commission to TackleInequality and Member of the Energy Transition AcceleratorHigh-Level Consultative Group..
Co-Chair
Sharan Burrow is a global advocate for human rights, climate action and Just Transition. She is the Former General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation (2010-2022). Previously she was President of the Australian Council of Trade Unions (2000–2010).
Sharan is well known for her international advocacy on employment, human rights, industrial relations, corporate responsibility and climate action with just transition solutions. She has represented workers and civil society groups in global policy discussions in United Nations bodies, on the Governing Body of the International Labour Organisation as well as at the tables of the G7, G20, World Bank and International Monetary Fund. She has twice been a Co-Chair of the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting in Davos.
Sharan is currently a Visiting Professor in Practice to the LSE-Grantham Institute, a board member of the European Climate foundation, a board member of the Green Hydrogen Association, Co-Chair of the IEA Labour Council, a Commissioner for the Global Commission on Climate Governance and leader with the B Team.
Co-Chair
Gabriela Ramos is the Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences of UNESCO, where she oversees the institution's contributions to building inclusive societies. Her mandate includes tackling inequalities of income and opportunity and promoting social inclusion and gender equality. She also oversees the youth support agenda, the promotion of values through sport, the fight against racism and discrimination, and the ethics of science and technology. She oversaw the development and adoption of the Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, the first global instrument of its kind, adopted by acclamation in 2021 by UNESCO's General Conference.
Previously, Gabriela Ramos worked as Cabinet Director and Sherpa for G20, G7, and APEC at the OECD, contributing to increasing the OECD's global impact and leading initiatives such as "Inclusive Growth" and "New Approaches to Economic Challenges". She is a board member of the Paris Peace Forum, the Lancet Commissions on COVID-19 and on Men's Violence against Women, and the Danone “Entreprise à Mission” Committee.
The TISFD Secretariat
The Secretariat supports and coordinates the activities of the Taskforce members, including developing and implementing the strategy of the TISFD; the organisation of its work program; technical research with knowledge partners; the design of market capability building initiatives; and media, communications and stakeholder engagement.
Interim Executive Director
Kate Tallant Meier
Interim Executive Director
Kate is a leader in the role of business in society. She brings more than 20 years of experience partnering with business, civil society, and government leaders on how to address social inequities—in the workplace, in the value chain, and in wider society.
Kate has extensive experience in sustainability strategy and facilitating multi-stakeholder collaboratives. Previously, she built and led Save the Children’s Global Business & Innovation Hub, a 20-person team responsible for designing, delivering, and evaluating Save the Children’s business and philanthropy partnerships across its 120 countries of operation. Prior to her work with Save the Children, she spent a decade at FSG, a strategy consulting firm founded by Harvard Professor Michael Porter and Mark Kramer, where she co-led the firm’s corporate practice and worked with a range of companies and their partners to develop strategies to address social issues material to business performance including gender equity, workforce development, and economic inclusion.
She writes frequently on the relationship between business and society, including collaborating with the WBCSD on its flagship report “Tackling Inequality: An Agenda for Business Action”; with Unilever on its first equity, diversity, and inclusion paper “Equity for Impact”; and with FSG on “Centering Equity in Corporate Purpose,” “What Does It Really Take for Companies to Advance Gender Equity?” and “The Role of Business in Global Education.” She holds an MBA in International Business from Georgetown University.
Senior Engagement Advisor
Keith Kibirango
Senior Engagement Advisor
Keith is a dynamic and results-driven executive leader with over two decades of experience in social change and cross-sectoral partnerships across Africa, the UK, Europe.
Keith began his career in Uganda and served as Director of the Uganda Law Society and Chair of the Uganda Peace Network. In the UK, he held pivotal leadership roles, including Head of African Philanthropy at Save the Children UK, where he pioneered the African Philanthropy Programme, connecting with African donors and securing a landmark £10 million donation, the largest single donation by an African donor. As Chief Executive of Crown Agents International Development (CAID), Keith led the organisation’s set-up, assembling the board of trustees, crafting a five-year growth strategy, and building a cross-border team based in London, Dubai, Delhi, Nairobi, and Washington, DC. Under his leadership, CAID’s income grew to £15 million annually within three years, representing almost 15% of the Crown Agents Group's total revenue.
Keith’s collaborative efforts have engaged various stakeholders, including British, Gulf, and African royalty, Heads of State, CEOs of multinational corporations, legal and health researchers, media professionals, and leaders of global nonprofit organisations. Through his visionary leadership, strategic initiatives, and unwavering commitment to social causes, Keith continues to impact global development, positioning him as a transformative figure in international development.
Head of Engagement
Rithu Raman
Head of Engagement
Rithu brings over a decade of experience in social sustainability, with a focus on integrating sustainable practices into business strategies. Prior to joining TISFD, she worked as an Associate Research Scholar at NYU Stern's Center for Sustainable Business, where she led Return on Sustainability Investment (ROSI™) collaborations with companies across industries. In this role, she helped organizations realize the financial value of sustainability, developing frameworks and analyses that demonstrate the tangible benefits of responsible business practices.
Rithu began her career in operational risk management at Goldman Sachs, where she developed expertise in risk management and mitigation practices within the investment banking sector. She then transitioned into public finance investment banking, where she facilitated infrastructure debt financings for state and local governments across the U.S. These experiences fueled her interest in the intersection of finance and sustainability, driving her to explore how businesses can innovate while addressing pressing social and environmental challenges.
Rithu’s combination of hands-on financial experience and commitment to sustainability allow her to bridge the gap between profit and purpose, helping organizations build resilient business models. Passionate about creating lasting impact, Rithu continues to advocate for systemic change that aligns economic success with social equity and environmental stewardship.
Partnerships Advisor
Luisa Bernal
Partnerships Advisor
Luisa is a Policy Specialist in UNDP’s Sustainable Finance Hub. In this role, she promotes partnerships with corporate and finance actors to support UNDP’s mission to align finance to the SDGs and channel resources to developing countries where they are most needed. Earlier she worked with UNDP's Inclusive Growth team, providing policy advice and programme support to UNDP country offices and governments towards private sector development and enhancing trade capacity while creating opportunities for women and youth. In this capacity, she also participated in UNDP efforts towards designing integrated approaches to SDG implementation advising UN country teams on SDG mainstreaming and acceleration efforts.
Before joining UNDP, Luisa worked at the South Centre as Coordinator of the Trade for Development Programme providing policy advice and technical assistance to developing countries on multilateral trade negotiations. As Project Manager at the Ministry of Production and Commerce of the Government of Venezuela she participated in regional and bilateral trade and investment negotiations and later as Economic Attaché at the Permanent Mission of Venezuela before the UN in Geneva she represented the country in several technical Committees at the World Trade Organization and other fora.
The TISFD Alliance
The TISFD Alliance is a global multi-sector consultative group of organisations who will help inform the Taskforce's work. Membership of the Alliance is free and open to a broad range of organisations including corporates, financial institutions, labour and civil society organisations, regulators, academic and research organisations, business associations, inter-governmental organisations.
Learn more about the AllianceWorking Groups
Working Groups will be launched by the Steering Committee in 2025 and will be a key site for co-creation within the Taskforce. The Steering Committee, in consultation with the Secretariat and the Alliance, will stand up Working Groups with specific mandates. The Steering Committee will field diverse subject matter experts representing a balance of stakeholder groups through a call for interested Working Group members and co-leads.
Founding Partners
The TISFD was launched through the collaborative efforts of a diverse set of more than 20 organisations across the public, social, and private sectors. These organisations have been central to the establishment of the Taskforce and will remain involved in its work in a range of ways moving forward, including as members of the Steering Committee, Working Groups, Secretariat, and the Alliance.
Stewardship Council
The Stewardship Council provides oversight of the TISFD’s mission and financial accountability. It is comprised of the Taskforce’s Co-Chairs, funder representatives, and administrative host, the United Nations Development Programme. TISFD's current funders include the Government of Germany: Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, the Government of Switzerland: Secretariat for Economic Affairs, Generation Foundation, Laudes Foundation, and the Tipping Point Fund on Impact Investing, the Ford Foundation, made possible by Community Initiatives.
