Catherine A. Bertini, Executive Director United Nations' World Food Programme

Catherine Bertini has been the Executive Director of the United Nations' World Food Programme since April of 1992. Ms. Bertini is the first woman to head the World Food Programme which is the largest international food aid organization in the world. From its headquarters in Rome, she guides the agency in its dual mission: to prevent starvation in emergencies and to help people become self-reliant by providing them with the means to extricate themselves from the vicious cycle of poverty.

Ms. Bertini is no stranger either to politics or humanitarian efforts. In fact it was her experience and stay at the University at Albany that influenced and launched her career in government. Her first taste of politics came as a result of her involvement in and her experience as a Legislative Aide in the New York Senate and then as a Confidential Assistant in the office of New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller. Upon her graduation from the University at Albany in 1971, she went to work for the New York Republican State Commission as its Youth Director from 1971 to 1975. In 1975 and 1976 she spent time with the Republican National Committee. For ten years from 1977 to 1987, Ms. Bertini supervised the government relations and nationwide philanthropic and public affairs activities of the Container Corp. Of America based in Chicago, Illinois. Also during this time from 1979 to 1987, Ms. Bertini continued to work in state government as Commissioner of the Illinois Human Rights Commission and as Commissioner of the Illinois State Scholarship Commission. In 1987, she began her service with the federal government as Acting Assistant Secretary of the Family Support Administration at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Then from 1989 to 1992 when she joined the World Food Programme, Ms. Bertini was the U.S. Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Food and Consumer Services where she directed the federal government's 13 food assistance programs which included the Food Stamp Program, the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs and the Women, Infants and Children Program.

As a result of her tireless public service, numerous awards and honors have been bestowed upon Ms. Bertini. The American Academy of Pediatrics cited her for Excellence in Public Service in 1991 in recognition of her work as an advocate for child nutrition programs. In 1992 she was presented the National Association of WIC Directors Leadership Award for her achievement in advocacy, leadership and management for programs related to poor women, infants and children. Ms. Bertini was the first U.S. administration official to receive the Leadership in Human Services Award from the American Public Welfare Association, an honor traditionally reserved for state governors and member of Congress. The association said she "epitomizes the very best in public service."