Kiki Lawal is the Founder and President of Hesed World. With over two decades of experience in national and international banking, private sector engagement, disaster risk reduction and ESG, Kiki has been a driving force in initiatives that align with her commitment to sustainable development and international collaboration. Before launching Hesed World, Kiki held key positions within the UN system in Geneva, New York and Bangkok, where she spearheaded efforts in disaster risk reduction, private sector engagement, racial justice advocacy and ESG frameworks.  

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Most recently, Kiki held a role within the Geneva Centre for Security Policy’s Global Fellowship Initiative, before which she worked within the UN system. As a Programme Management Officer at UNDRR in New York (2019-2022), Kiki raised awareness among Member States and stakeholders on implementing the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, focusing on least-developed countries and landlocked developing countries. Prior to that, she worked at UNDRR to forge strategic alliances with public-private partnerships (ARISE). She has also worked at UNEP Finance Initiative, where, as Head of Signatory Relations, she led fundraising efforts for ESG and climate change initiatives.

 

Kiki holds an MBA from the University of Liverpool, where she focused her projects on social entrepreneurship and maximising opportunities for mid-to-late career professionals who face challenges in traditional employment. She also holds a BA in Business Economics from Middlesex Business School, London.