In the realm of international development and environmental stewardship, few names shine as brightly as Geeta Batra, GEF Director. With over 25 years of unwavering commitment to development economics and evaluation, Batra’s appointment in 2024 as the Director of the Independent Evaluation Office (IEO) of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) marks a historic milestone. Not only is she a seasoned expert in her field, but she is also the first woman from a developing country to lead the IEO, a position of profound global importance.
Born in the heart of New Delhi and educated across India’s finest institutions—from Villa Theresa High School in Mumbai to Stella Maris College in Chennai and NMIMS in Vile Parle—Geeta Batra’s academic journey began with a firm foundation in economics and finance. Her intellectual hunger soon led her to the United States, where she earned a Ph.D. in Economics, guided by the inspiration of her professor, Harkant Mankad.
From Risk to Reform: The Early Years
Before becoming a global force in development, Batra’s career began in a seemingly unrelated domain—risk management at American Express in New York. Here, she sharpened her analytical and strategic skills, which would later become invaluable in evaluating multi-million-dollar development projects. But her calling was always bigger. In 1998, she joined the World Bank’s Private Sector Development Department, dedicating seven transformative years to boosting competitiveness in East Asia and Latin America.
From there, Geeta Batra ascended through roles of increasing responsibility, becoming the Head and Chief Evaluator at the International Finance Corporation (IFC). There, she oversaw the evaluation of IFC’s advisory services portfolio, helping guide impactful projects with measurable outcomes. Her work garnered respect and paved her way to the Independent Evaluation Group of the World Bank, where she led critical country and corporate thematic evaluations.
Geeta Batra: Leading with Purpose at the GEF
In 2015, Geeta Batra transitioned to the Global Environment Facility’s Independent Evaluation Office, initially serving as Chief Evaluator and Deputy Director. The GEF, established following the Rio Earth Summit in 1992, is a cornerstone of environmental financing, delivering over $24 billion in grants and mobilising an additional $138 billion in co-financing across 170 countries. The Small Grants Programme alone has touched over 20,000 grassroots initiatives.
Her decade-long tenure in the GEF’s IEO laid the groundwork for what would become her most iconic role yet. In 2024, during the 66th GEF Council Meeting in Washington, D.C., Batra’s name was unanimously recommended for the position of Director—a testament to her unmatched expertise and leadership.
In her words, “My top priorities will be to deliver sound evaluative evidence on the results and performance of the GEF, provide leadership to ensure that the GEF IEO stays at the forefront of environmental evaluation, and strengthen the IEO teams and invest in skills.”
A Legacy Rooted in Impact
As Geeta Batra, GEF Director, she now leads a team of evaluation professionals dedicated to assessing the effectiveness, efficiency, and sustainability of environmental initiatives across the globe. Under her guidance, the IEO doesn’t just monitor progress—it influences future strategies, empowers grassroots communities, and holds global institutions accountable.
Geeta Batra is also a prolific thinker. She has co-authored books and articles, and managed over 100 evaluations, each focused on practical, results-oriented frameworks that drive real-world change. Her intellectual contributions are widely respected in the international development and evaluation communities.
Her leadership style is inclusive and forward-thinking. She’s actively building partnerships with multilateral and bilateral agencies, foundations, and civil society organisations, ensuring that the knowledge gained is shared. She believes evaluation is not just a tool for scrutiny—it’s a mechanism for transformation.
Geeta Batra: Life Beyond the Desk
Despite the weight of her responsibilities, Geeta Batra remains deeply human and grounded. Based in Northern Virginia, she shares her life with her husband, Prakash and their daughter, Roshini. In her free time, she finds peace in hiking national parks, immersing herself in historical biographies, and delighting in global cuisine.
Yet, her taste buds remain Indian at heart. With a nostalgic smile, she admits her love for India’s beloved pav bhaji, pani puri, and chhole bhature—a humble reminder that even world leaders find comfort in the familiar.
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