Philippe Dongier, Manager Philippe Dongier, a Canadian national, joined the World Bank Group in 1998. He has played a range of leadership roles in the infrastructure and sustainable development sectors (1998-2001) and worked on operations and analytical work in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Philippe managed the Bank's support to Afghanistan reconstruction (2001-2004), and led a corporate initiative on strengthening the Bank's organizational effectiveness (2004-2005). He recently authored a World Bank report entitled ‘Infrastructure: Lessons from the Last Two Decades of World Bank Engagement’.
Prior to joining the Bank, Philippe was with McKinsey & Company (1993-1998), advising companies and governments on issues of strategy and organizational restructuring, including in the telecom and IT industries. From 1986 to 1992, he worked in Nepal and Vietnam in decentralized and community-based infrastructure and finance, and enterprise development. Philippe holds an MBA from INSEAD and a BA in economics from McGill University.
Mavis Ampah, Senior ICT Policy Specialist Mavis joined the GICT in 2003. She is the regional co-ordinator for the Sub-Saharan Africa Team of the Policy Group. Prior to joining the Bank, Mavis worked in South Africa for two years as Chief Executive of the African Connection Program. Mavis has a BA in Economics from the University of Massachusetts (Amherst), and a MA from the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University. Laurent Besancon, Senior Regulatory Specialist Laurent joined GICT in 2003 and currently coordinates the Regional Communications Infrastructure Program (RCIP). His current duties also involve providing policy and capacity-building support to Governments in the East and Southern Africa region on an ad-hoc basis. Prior to joining GICT, Laurent worked for 3 years as a consultant for National Economic Research Associates (NERA) in London, advising Governments, regulators, and the private sector on wide-ranging regulatory and economics issues. Laurent also worked for France Telecom UK as regulatory affairs manager as well as for the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) as a strategy analyst in the Strategy and Policy Unit. Laurent graduated from the Institut National des Telecommunications in France and from the business university Paris Dauphine and holds a MA in Telecommunications Economics from Michigan State University. Natasha Beschorner, Senior ICT Policy Specialist Natasha Beschorner, a UK national, joined the World Bank in 1993, and GICT in 2004. She is the Regional Coordinator of the East Asia & Pacific team for the Policy group. Her areas of expertise include applied ICT for development planning and decision-making, including e-government; health information systems; and telecommunications sector reform, particularly extending the reach of information and communications infrastructure to rural and remote areas. She has extensive experience working in low-income economies, including fragile states and post-conflict environments. Her main responsibilities include design and management of investment projects and technical assistance programs on telecommunications reform and ICT for development in East Asia and Africa. She has a MS in Information Technology/Information Systems from Johns Hopkins University, a MA in Economics/Environment/Politics of the Middle East from the London School of Oriental & African Studies and a BA in Arabic/Spanish from Oxford University. She speaks French, German, Arabic and Spanish. Yann Burtin, Senior Operations Officer Yann joined GICT on a secondment from the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1996. He has worked on Telecom Sector Reform in several countries including Algeria, Tanzania, Niger, South Africa and Russia. Yann is currently stationed in the Paris office of the World Bank. He has an Advanced Degree in Industrial Organization and a Masters degree in Applied Economics from the University of Pierre Mendès in France and the University of Exeter in UK. He speaks French and some Spanish. Kashmira Daruwalla, Senior Procurement Specialist Kashmira Daruwalla, an Indian national, joined the World Bank Group in 1985. She presently works as the procurement specialist for the GICT department. Her current duties include providing policy guidance and advice to client countries and World Bank staff to ensure fiduciary and quality compliance in procurement. As a Senior Specialist, she is involved in developing new and innovative practices, approaches and solutions to difficult and complex procurement issues. She works closely with task teams to provide support on output-based aid; electronic-Government Procurement and Public Private Partnerships in e-Government. She is a member of GICT's practice teams on (i) Rural Access, Backbone Networks, and Broadband; (ii) e-Government and IT applications; and (iii) IT Industry Development. She has a Masters degree in Project Management from the George Washington University and in Acquisition from the University of Virginia. Beauty Dhlodhlo, Program Assistant Beauty Dhlodhlo is a Zimbabwean national who joined the World Bank Group in December 1995 under the IFC's Africa Project Development Facility (APDF), SME Department in Harare, Zimbabwe. She subsequently moved to the APDF's South Africa office in February 2000 and joined MIGA, Africa Region Office, Johannesburg in April 2002 until she joined GICT in September 2006. At GICT, she is responsible for assisting the Manager of the Public Policy and Operations Division. Prior to joining the Bank, Beauty worked with BP and Shell Marketing Services and The Ministry of Education in Zimbabwe. Anat Lewin Dreazen, Operations Analyst Anat Lewin Dreazen works for GICT as an analyst. Her current work focuses on Middle East and North African countries in ICT data and statistical capacity building, monitoring and evaluation, e-government and ICT applications. She has also managed a $1.3 million Trust Fund for analytical work in the ICT subject area. She is also interested in media, convergence and IT industry issues.Before joining this group, Anat worked for the World Bank's Development Data Group as a Data Advisory Services Consultant and for the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa in Ethiopia as an ICT Consultant. She holds a Master of International Affairs degree from Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs, studied Arabic at the University of Jordan in Amman, and speaks English, French, German and Arabic.Her practice areas are: E-Government and ICT Applications, Media, and IT Industry. Boutheina Guermazi, Regulatory Specialist Boutheina Guermazi joined the World Bank in April 2004. She is involved in telecommunications sector reform in a number of African countries - supporting the adoption of Telecom and ICT policies and the elaboration of pro-competitive legal and regulatory frameworks. She wrote and published a number of articles and book chapters on trade law, telecommunications policy and regulatory reform. Before joining the Bank, Boutheina was Assistant Professor at the faculté des Sciences Juridiques Politiques et Sociales of Tunis and a Telecommunications Advisor to the Sector Reform Unit at the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). She also worked as a strategy analyst for the Strategic Unit at ITU and a telecom consultant for the UNDP. Boutheina holds a PhD in Telecommunications Law and Policy from the Faculty of Law at McGill University, Canada, an LLM in International Law from Indiana University and a Bachelor degree in public law from the University of Tunis. She held a Fulbright Scholarship and was a research scholar at the Social Science Research Council (USA) and the Center of Studies for Regulated Industries (Canada). She speaks Arabic, French and English. Naomi Halewood, Operations Analyst Naomi joined the GICT in 2004. She is currently working on a number of ICT projects in the East Asia and Pacific region, and is part of the Monitoring & Evaluation team, for which she performs data analysis and research. Prior to joining GICT, she worked in the Development Economics Data Group of the World Bank, and for the Center for International Political Economy in New York. She has a MBA and a MA in international development from American University, and a BA in political science and sociology from Brandeis University. Isabelle Huynh-Segni, Postal Policy Specialist Isabelle is a French national who joined the Bank in 2001 on a secondment program from the Ministry of Economy, Finance and Industry (MEFI). She covers regulatory issues mainly related to postal projects and focuses on the modernization of the postal industry. She spent 5 years with the MEFI in the department charged with postal and telecommunication regulation and was then sent to Washington for a two year assignment with the French Treasury office at the French Embassy. She holds a BA in political sciences and is graduated from the École Nationale Supérieure des Postes et Télécommunications. Kaoru Kimura, Consultant Kaoru, a Japanese national, joined the World Bank Group in 2004. She is currently involved in several ICT projects in Sub-Saharan Africa region, and country assignment in China. She is also a member of Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Team, where she takes stock of global ICT data and trend analysis. Prior to joining GICT, Kaoru worked for Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation, where she worked on marketing, business consulting, and designing communication systems for multinational corporate clients. She has a MA in International Development Studies from the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) and a BA in Social Science from International Christian University in Japan.
Arturo Muente Kunigami, Consultant Arturo, a peruvian national, joined the World Bank in 2006. He is currently involved in ICT and telecommunications projects in Latin America, as well as in analytical work in the Latin American and the Caribbean region and the State-owned Enterprises and IT Industry Development practice groups. Prior to joining GICT, Arturo was a consultant at Apoyo Consultoria in Peru, dealing mainly with rural telecommunications and telecom regulation projects in developing countries. He also worked at an ISP, a local bank and with the regulatory agency, Osiptel. Arturo holds a MBA from the Goizueta Business School at Emory University and a BA in Economics from Universidad del Pacifico in Lima. Gareth Locksley, Senior Telecommunications Specialist Gareth joined the World Bank in 1999 and is the Regional Coordinator for the Eastern Europe and Central Asia Team of the Policy group. He worked with Cable & Wireless and with the Competition Directorate of the European Commission where he was a member of the team that drafted the Directives that opened the EU fixed and mobile telecommunications market. Samia Melhem, Senior Operations Officer Samia is a member of the eGovernment practice group. Her current responsibilities include technical assistance and advisory services on ICT Policies. She is focused on ICT4D in a wide variety of sectors from telecoms policy and regulation to public sector reform, trade, education, knowledge Economy and private sector development. In her last 15 years in the World Bank Group, Samia has held several positions in Africa and Europe and Central Asia regions, Information Solutions Group and infoDev. Her expertise is mostly in planning, developing and implementing large scale information systems for governments, and on using ICT as a tool to support public administration reform. Samia also manages GICT's learning and training program. She holds degrees in Electrical Engineering, Computer Sciences and MBA. Juan Navas-Sabater, Senior Telecommunications Specialist Juan joined GICT in August 1998 and his current duties involve the design preparation and supervision of telecommunications sector reform projects in a number of countries of Latin America, Africa and the former Soviet Union. He is also actively involved in the design and implementation of e-government and information technology components in public sector reform and public financial management projects. Juan worked for three years as Project Manager in the field of advanced telecommunications services for development at the General Communications Secretariat within the Spanish Ministry of Development. He holds a degree in Telecommunications Engineering from the Madrid Politechnical University and a Master’s degree in Telecommunications Policy Economics and Regulation from George Washington University. He speaks Spanish Russian Portuguese French and German. Isabel Neto, Policy Specialist Based in Maputo, Mozambique, Isabel is a Portuguese national who joined the World Bank in 2004. At the Bank she has written and published a number of analytical pieces on Spectrum Management, Mobile License Renewal, Financing Mechanisms for ICT, among others. She is part of a team working on Regional Connectivity in East and Southern Africa. Additionally, she has been co-ordinating the World Bank Group's participation in the World Summit on Information Society. Isabel holds a Master of Science degree in Technology and Policy from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and a B.Sc in Electrical and Telecommunications Engineering from Instituto Superior Técnico in Portugal. She speaks Portuguese, English, French and Spanish. Tenzin Norbhu, Senior ICT Policy Specialist Tenzin Dolma Norbhu joined the World Bank in 2000 and is the regional co-coordinator for the South Asia Team of the GICT policy group. She currently works on ICT and telecommunications projects in Asia. Her areas of expertise include ICT for development; telecommunications sector reform, rural telecommunications access and radio spectrum management. Before joining the Bank, she worked as an engineer in the telecommunications sector in Bhutan in the areas of operations and policy, and later as head of the Bhutan Telecommunications Regulatory Authority. She has a MBA in the Management of Technology and an Honors Degree in Electrical Engineering. Tenzin is currently based in New Delhi. Marta Priftis, Senior Program Assistant Marta joined GICT in June 1998. She works with the Latin America team and is also the knowledge management coordinator for the Division. Marta is also involved in the organization of technical traning programs. Prior experience within the Bank includes 6 years in the IFC Information Center. She has a BA (honors) in International Studies with a concentration in Economics from George Mason University. She speaks Spanish. Christine Zhen-Wei Qiang, Senior Economist A Chinese national, Christine joined the World Bank in 1998. Her main responsibilities include ICT policy and strategy development; and design, preparation and supervision of information infrastructure projects in Asia. She has written and published a number of articles and book chapters on ICT and development, with a focus on the policy dimension. Her areas of expertise include ICT for development, telecommunications sector reform, growth, poverty and investment climate. She has a PhD in Economics and a M.S.E. in Computer Science and Engineering from the Johns Hopkins University and a BA in German Language and Literature from the International Studies University in China. She speaks Chinese, German and some Spanish. Christine is currently based in Nepal. Michèle Ralisoa, Program Assistant Michèle is the Regional Program Assistant for Africa in GICT since September 2002. Prior to joining CITPO, she worked in the Country Office of Madagascar where she was mainly involved in the portfolio management of Madagascar and Comoros projects. Carlo Rossotto, Senior Regulatory Economist Carlo joined the World Bank in 1998 and is the Regional Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa team of the Policy Division of GICT. He is the Task Manager of several lending and technical assistance operations in the Middle East, North Africa, and East Asia and the Pacific regions. He has performed economic and regulatory analysis in several telecommunications related projects including the privatization and fiscal impact of sector reforms. Before joining the Bank he advised European ICT corporations on demand analysis, marketing, corporate strategy and regulatory affairs. He holds post-graduate degrees in Economics and Business Administration from Bocconi University Milan and in Financial and Commercial Regulation from The London School of Economics. He speaks Italian, French and some Spanish. Andrea Ruiz-Esparza, Program Assistant Andrea joined the World Bank in 1986 and has worked for GICT since mid-2001. She is the regional program assistant for information and communication infrastructure operations in East Asia and the Pacific region and the Europe and Central Asia region. In addition to operational activities, Andrea is the in-house editor and publications coordinator for the division. Andrea frequently works on Bank-wide activities, most recently, the Development Marketplace and the Advisory Committee for the Staff Survey. She speaks some Spanish and French. Prior to joining GICT, Andrea worked in operations in the industry and energy sectors in China and Mongolia, the rural water sector in South Asia, and on issues management in External Affairs. Andrea was the coordinator of the World Bank's Summer Employment Program in 1995/96, and coordinated the North American recruitment for the 1996 Young Professional Program. Peter Silarszky, Economist Peter joined the World Bank in 2003. His current duties include preparation of a project to connect countries in East and Southern Africa to the global telecommunications network, and preparation of an information and communication infrastructure development project in Mongolia with focus on rural access. Peter also supports regional ICT initiatives in South Eastern Europe and works on issues related to distressed telecommunications incumbents and to development of backbone networks infrastructure and services. Prior to joining the World Bank, Peter worked for 5 years as management consultant with A.T. Kearney advising leading telecommunication companies, banks, and electric utilities in Europe on wide-ranging issues including strategy, business planning, post merger integration, and restructuring. He holds a PhD in Economics from the Center for Economic Research and Graduate Education of the Charles University in Prague and graduated from the Czech Technical University in Prague. He speaks English, Hungarian, Slovak, Czech, and some Russian, Polish, and Spanish. Ritin Singh, Senior Telecommunications Specialist Ritin joined the Bank in 1994 and is presently focusing on the South Asia region. He has played a leading role in assisting client countries plan and implement telecommunications policy reforms. He has extensive experience on regulatory reform, privatization strategy, competitive sector structures, and rural access issues. Before joining the World Bank, he was completing his Doctoral studies (ADB) in a joint program from Rutgers/Princeton on telecommunications and international development. He also has a Master degree in Telecommunications from Michigan State University and Economics from India. Peter Smith, Lead Telecommunications Specialist Peter, a Canadian national, is Regional Co-ordinator for the Policy Unit's South Asia work program and leader of the Regulatory thematic team. He has worked extensively on projects involving telecommunications sector reform, market structure, regulation, and privatization - mainly in East and South Asia, but also in Africa and Latin America. He has helped organize seminars on telecommunications development in the Asia-Pacific region addressing sector reform, regulatory development, the wireless revolution, and leveraging private investment for rural ICT development. He is the co-author of a short note on "Mitigating Regulatory Risk in Telecommunications". Prior to joining the World Bank Group he was Senior Economist with the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission. Peter has a Masters degree in economics from Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada. Randeep Sudan, Senior ICT Policy Specialist Randeep Sudan, an Indian national, joined GICT in 2005. He is Practice Leader in e-Government and IT applications and also for IT industry development. He is currently working on ICT projects in Africa, Central Asia, East Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America and South Asia. He is responsible for guiding strategies and policies on e-government and IT industry development. Prior to joining the World Bank he held senior government positions in India, as a member of the Indian Administrative Service. He was Special Secretary to the Chief Minister and ex-officio Secretary Information Technology in the state of Andhra Pradesh and was closely associated with policies and strategies for leveraging ICT for development. He has been the Chief Executive of APFIRST an organization focused on promoting investments in the ICT sector, and also of AP Technology Services, a company specializing in the use of ICTs in government. His areas of expertise include ICT policy, e-government, investment promotion, infrastructure development and public-private partnerships. He has a MSc in Social Policy and Planning from the London School of Economics and a MA in Economics from the Jawaharlal Nehru University. He has taught as a visiting faculty at the Department of Informatics at the University of Oslo. Svetoslav Tintchev, Senior Telecommunications Engineer Svetoslav has worked in telecommunications projects in the World Bank since 1992. He has been involved in the management, design implementation and supervision of a number of telecom projects in Africa, Middle East, Central Asia and Central Europe. From 1992 to 1994 he worked with the Africa Technical Department of the World Bank. He worked 18 years with the Ministry of Post & Telecommunications of Bulgaria, working on national network and traffic design models digital switching and data networks implementation. At his departure, he was manager of the Bulgarian Telecommunications Company. He has Master degrees in Electrical Engineering and Informatics from the Technical University of Sofia. He speaks Bulgarian, French, Russian and German. Eloy Vidal, Lead Telecommunications Engineer Eloy joined the World Bank in 1986 and is presently Regional Coordinator for the Latin America Team in the Policy Division of GICT. He has assisted member countries in restructuring their telecommunications sectors and in the design and implementation of legal and regulatory frameworks. Before joining the Bank, he was Technical Director of COMTELCA, the Central American Regional Telecommunications Commission. He has a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University and a Professional Engineering degree from the University of Costa Rica. Bjorn Wellenius, Consultant After his retirement from the World Bank, Bjorn is at present a consultant with the GICT. His work is focused on creating policy and regulatory conditions that enable increased private investment and competition in telecommunications in emerging and transition economies. Before joining the Bank in 1979, Dr. Wellenius was Professor of Telecommunications Systems at Universidad de Chile. He has a PhD in telecommunications from the University of Essex England and a degree in electronics and telecommunications engineering from Universidad de Chile. Mark Williams, Economist Mark Williams joined GICT as an Economist in 2006. Prior to joining the World Bank, he worked in economic consulting and has worked in long-term positions within Governments in developing countries. His work has focused on the economics and regulation of utilities, primarily telecoms, energy and post. In addition to his work in Europe, Mark has worked extensively in Africa, Asia, Middle East and the Caribbean. Mark holds degrees from Oxford University and Warwick University. back to top |