Leadership

The Global Initiative is a highly collaborative organisation focussed on developing the expertise, and within our limited size and resources, the careers of our staff. The nature of the Global Initiative and its staff has evolved over time and its success has been the result of a closely integrated and collegial working environment. Our focus as we grow will be to continue to emphasise this approach.

The Director of the Global Initiative reports directly to the Board and is appointed by them. S/he is responsible for the overall strategic direction of the organisation, representing and promoting the organisation, the management of its staff and ensuring the financial and administrative health of the organisation. According to the Global Initiative’s Constitution (Global Initiative Constitution), the director can delegate functions to specific staff members, but maintains overall responsibility for the organisation. The director is responsible for recruiting and appointing all staff, including the deputy director. The director is Mark Shaw.

The Deputy Director acts as the chief of staff of the organisation. S/he is responsible for the day to day management of the organisation, including the headquarters in Geneva. This includes several delegated functions as is indicated in this operational manual. This also includes inputs on the strategic direction of the organisation, and the promotion of Global Initiative activities. The deputy director is Tuesday Reitano.

Given the size of the organisation, both the director and deputy remain intimately involved in substantive and project related activities.

A group of Senior Advisors has been appointed by the director as a sounding board in respect of the overall strategic direction of the organisation and other matters. These are senior individuals who have generally played important roles in the establishment of the Global Initiative. We take their counsel very seriously and are appreciative of the time that they provide to the Global Initiative.

Members of the Global Initiative Network are critical to the overall functioning and ethos of the Global Initiative. The network plays a critical role in appointing some board members and approving the board’s final makeup. All network members must be treated with a high level of respect, and the secretariat must work with them in as collaborative a way as possible. Livia Wagner, network coordinator and senior expert, serves as the focal point for a variety of network activities and engagement with more than 500 network members who are involved in analyzing or countering transnational organized crime. The full list of  Network Members is available on the website.

The Global Initiative Board provides overall strategic advice and direction to the Director and Secretariat.  Board Members join for a three-year term, renewable, and meet once a year.  They are responsible for appointing the Director. An Audit and Finance Sub-Committee, chaired by the Treasurer, plays a more active role in supporting the Secretariat to ensure the organisation meets financial, management and transparency standards.

In the end though, all Global Initiative staff are leaders in some way — in project activities, in providing administrative support, in building links with different constituencies and partners. We rely on you so that we succeed as a group committed to making difference. That is the spirit of the Global Initiative. Find out more about the GI-TOC Team on our website.