The Harvard Ministerial Leadership Program is pleased to announce the appointment of H.E. Rosine Sori-Coulibaly, former Minister of Economy, Finance, and Development and former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Burkina Faso, as Vice Chair of its Advisory Board. Madame Sori-Coulibaly brings more than 35 years of experience in government leadership, sustainable development, economic reform, and international diplomacy, as well as a longstanding relationship with the Ministerial Program.

Madame Sori-Coulibaly first participated in the Harvard Ministerial Leadership Program’s Forum for Finance Ministers in April 2016, just three months after assuming office as Burkina Faso’s Minister of Economy, Finance, and Development. She remained actively engaged with the Program and returned in 2021, following her tenure in office, to serve as a panelist and peer advisor to participating Ministers. Her extensive experience in navigating government complexities, especially in translating policy priorities into practical implementation, has greatly influenced the Program. Through her insights, reflections, and wisdom-filled humor, she has helped participating Ministers better understand the political, institutional, and operational realities of advancing reforms and delivering results.

During her tenure as Minister of Economy, Finance, and Development from 2016 to 2019, Madame Sori-Coulibaly led economic planning, fiscal and budgetary reforms, and efforts to strengthen public investment and development coordination. She subsequently served as Burkina Faso’s Minister of Foreign Affairs from December 2021 to January 2022. Her leadership has extended beyond national government, including two decades of service with the United Nations in senior positions across Africa. As Assistant Secretary-General and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Guinea-Bissau, she supported political dialogue, national reconciliation, and the country’s electoral process. She also held senior leadership positions in Burundi, Togo, Benin, and Mauritania.  She also served as President of the Sahel and West Africa Club, hosted by the OECD, promoting regional cooperation, sustainable development, and food security.

Her appointment as Vice Chair reflects both her distinguished leadership experience and her longstanding commitment to the Harvard Ministerial Leadership Program. We are delighted to welcome her into this new leadership role and look forward to her continued contributions to the Program’s mission of supporting Ministers to exercise transformative and impactful leadership.