David LAWSON
New York,USA
Summary
Seasoned leader with track record in steering organizations toward success through strategic planning and effective management. Skilled in building/managing cohesive multicultural teams, driving innovation, and enhancing operational efficiency to achieve corporate goals and results. Demonstrated ability to negotiate, broker partnerships, fundraise, transform challenges into opportunities, resulting in significant impact.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Executive Director
Nexus Secretariat
New York
11.2018 - 01.2024
Led board relations, policy-making/advocacy, strategic direction, coordination strategy, diplomatic outreach of this innovative and dynamic 20 UN Member States-led inter-governmental high-level political Nexus initiative fostering high-level cross-regional UN cooperation and political support to women's rights/empowerment and gender equality
Global Director, Policy, Programs & Field Operations
EngenderHealth
New York
01.2014 - 12.2017
Led and managed successfully a $200 million program portfolio (West Africa, Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, India, Philippines & South Africa), and provided direction, policy guidance to country directors/programmes on women's health and gender equality for effectiveness and results
Country Director
UNFPA
Congo & Gabon
04.2009 - 12.2013
Led and managed USD 20 million Congo and Gabon country strategies and programs on gender equality and women's empowerment leading to 40% maternal mortality reduction, first-ever indigenous peoples' rights protection law in Africa, and gender parity law
Chief, Western & Central Africa Section
UNFPA
New York
08.2005 - 04.2009
Provided leadership and guidance to country programmes on human, technical and financial resources (USD250 million) in 22 Western and Central African countries
Country Director & Deputy Regional Director
UNAIDS Caribbean Office
Trinidad & Tobago
07.2004 - 08.2005
Led design and implementation of Trinidad & Tobago UNAIDS joint strategy/programs, and advised Caribbean governments on AIDS policies.
Deputy Director
UNAIDS-UN Liaison Office
New York
06.1998 - 07.2004
Led successfully AIDS global policy advocacy with UN Member States
Education
Ph.D. - International Relations and International organizations
Panthéon-Assas University (Paris 2)
Paris, FranceMasters' degree - International and European Law
Panthéon-Assas University (Paris 2)
Paris, FranceCertificate - International Relations
Paris Institute For Higher International Studies (IHEI)
Paris, FrancePh.D. - International Economics and Development Studies
René Descartes University (Paris 5)
Paris, FranceBachelor of Arts - Higher Asian Studies and Bengali
Paris Institute For Higher Asian Studies (INALCO)
Paris, FranceSkills
- Board relations
- Fundraising
- Growth management
- Outreach programs
- Partnership development
- Strategic planning
- Government relations
- Negotiation
- Policy formulation
- Crisis management
- Program leadership
- Corporate governance
- Innovation and creativity
Publications
Essays: "Advocacy for Congo" (2015), L'Harmattan, Paris - "Le Dictionnaire de la Mort" (2010), L'Harmattan, Paris - "Infectious Alert: The Global Threat of Infections Diseases on International Security (2006), L'Harmattan, Paris - "The Paris Club - Out of the Debt Vicious Circle" (2004), L'Harmattan,Paris - "Hong Kong, China" (2002), L'Harmattan, Paris - "The Future of Hong Kong" (1997), Presence Africaine, Paris
Other publications available upon request
Certification
- Certified in Mediation | New York Peace Academy
- Certified in English-French Interpretation | New York State Court System
Languages
English/Fremch
Native/ Bilingual
Italian
Full Professional
Spanish
Limited
German
Elementary
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Executive Director
Nexus Secretariat
11.2018 - 01.2024
Global Director, Policy, Programs & Field Operations
EngenderHealth
01.2014 - 12.2017
Country Director
UNFPA
04.2009 - 12.2013
Chief, Western & Central Africa Section
UNFPA
08.2005 - 04.2009
Country Director & Deputy Regional Director
UNAIDS Caribbean Office
07.2004 - 08.2005
Deputy Director
UNAIDS-UN Liaison Office
06.1998 - 07.2004
Ph.D. - International Relations and International organizations
Panthéon-Assas University (Paris 2)
Masters' degree - International and European Law
Panthéon-Assas University (Paris 2)
Certificate - International Relations
Paris Institute For Higher International Studies (IHEI)
Ph.D. - International Economics and Development Studies
René Descartes University (Paris 5)
Bachelor of Arts - Higher Asian Studies and Bengali
Paris Institute For Higher Asian Studies (INALCO)