Kim Osborne

Presidenta Electa 2016-2017

Master's Degree in Public Administration (MPA) with a concentration in Public Management
Bachelor’s Degree (Bsc.) in Travel and Tourism Management. .

EXPERIENCE:

Kim Osborne is the Executive Secretary for Integral Development at the Organization of American States, with responsibility for the Development Pillar; one of the four pillars of the organization. Appointed by the OAS Secretary General, she was confirmed by member states in January 2017. Since then she has been leading the Organization’s hemispheric development agenda with a specific focus on building resilience and competitiveness with programs in education, innovation, micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, climate adaptation, among others.  She simultaneously holds the position of Director General of the Inter-American Agency for Cooperation and Development spearheading the OAS’ Cooperation and Partnerships for Development program,  the Development Cooperation Fund, the OAS Scholarship and Training Program and the Scholarships Capital Fund. Ms. Osborne is also responsible for coordinating Policy Dialogue on development, overseeing over 12 Meetings of Ministers and High-level authorities in the Hemisphere.   For over two decades, Mrs. Osborne has dedicated herself to the socio-economic development of the Latin American and Caribbean region, pioneering programs in tourism, small business development, and innovation. She believes strongly in promoting an alliance model for development that maximizes multi-stakeholder partnerships and cooperation in all its modalities.

PERSONAL STATEMENT:

I believe that the OAS is at a critical crossroad at this point in its history; challenged not only by the myriad of issues facing the hemisphere, but also by the complexity of its internal management and the alignment of its competing priorities with its funding realities. At the center of this debate is the staff of the Organization; the many men and women who dedicate themselves daily to the work of the Organization and whose voices need to be included in the important discourse on the future of the Organization. It is therefore important that staff have steadfast and unwavering leadership in this process. My experience, commitment to fairness, critical thinking, and balanced decision-making can contribute to the engagement which needs to occur in order to ensure that staff interests are well represented. As a current member of the staff committee, I have seen first-hand the importance of open and mutually respectful dialogue, as we advocate for the rights of staff. My guiding principle continues to be, that when the staff rules are applied equitably, both staff and administration benefit. As president, I will not waiver in that belief and will ensure that the voice of the staff is always heard