Irina Bokova

Irina Bokova is a Director at Whiteshield. She previously served as Director-General of UNESCO, where she was actively engaged in international efforts to advance quality education for all, gender equality, cultural dialogue and scientific cooperation for sustainable development, and led UNESCO as a global advocate for the safety of journalists and freedom of expression.

She was Executive Secretary of the Steering Committee of the UN Secretary-General's Global Education First Initiative, co-Vice-Chair of the Broadband Commission and Chair of the UN High-Level Committee on Management. She was also President and founding member of the European Policy Forum.

Her career in Bulgarian public service included roles as Member of Parliament, where she contributed to Bulgaria's constitution and EU accession, and Minister for Foreign Affairs, as well as Ambassador to France, Monaco and UNESCO.