Her work happens largely out of sight – but without it, the global shift toward sustainable business wouldn’t move fast enough, or far enough. As Senior Corporate Governance Officer at the International Finance Corporation, part of the World Bank Group, Anne Kullman quietly drives change where it matters most. In her Washington, D.C. apartment, a portrait wall of iconic leaders offers daily inspiration – a reminder of what strong, values-driven leadership can achieve.
Anne Kullman, based in Washington D.C., is Senior Corporate Governance Officer for Climate at the World Bank Group’s International Finance Corporation (IFC). She works with banks, industries and investors in regions like Asia, Africa and Latin America – areas hardest hit by climate change but with the least resources to respond. Her role is to equip company leaders with the tools and strategies to manage climate risks and harness green opportunities. With experience from the UN, Swedish development aid and corporate sustainability in India’s textile sector, Anne brings together sharp policy insight and practical expertise. She calls Lund University, where she studied political science, the place “where it all began.”
When Anne Kullman describes how her shoulders drop the moment she steps into the forest outside Växjö, you begin to understand what drives her. That early connection to nature, nurtured by summers spent deep in the woods, has stayed with her, not just as a source of calm, but as a compass guiding her remarkable international career.
From Lund to Washington
Her journey began in Lund, where she studied political science and found both intellectual direction and a sense of belonging. “Moving to Lund felt like coming home,” she says. While she didn’t have a detailed roadmap then, she already knew she wanted to work with sustainable development in the Global South. Growing up in the 70s along with the women’s liberation movement and a strong public expression of solidarity with, among others, the Chilean political migrants in Vaxjö, created a curiosity and interest in supporting the development of a society and world where everyone has equal opportunities and rights.
A deep commitment to sustainability
That ambition has taken her around the world: from Ecuador and India to Laos and Jerusalem, with postings for Sida, the UN and Sweden’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs. A common thread runs through it all, a deep commitment to sustainability, a belief in partnerships and a gift for turning complex goals into practical action.
“In my role, I support the development of frameworks and structures for corporate governance and risk management related to climate and nature in investments. Currently, we are updating IFC’s sustainability standards (IFC Performance Standard) and risk assessment tools to the latest global practices,” she explains.
What’s striking is not just the scale of Anne’s work, but how human it is. “I am inspired by meeting people in developing countries who are passionate about sustainable development, or by igniting the spark in those who may be hesitant.”
Her success isn’t only shaped by global experience; it’s rooted in relationships. Her family is her “absolute source of energy,” and at the core of Anne Kullman’s leadership is a clear belief: true impact starts with people. What drives her is when individuals feel valued, and when someone gains confidence through support and guidance, that’s where meaningful change takes root.
Real Practice – A Bootcamp for Decision-Makers
Anne is currently preparing a IFC-hosted “climate governance bootcamp” in early June for commercial banks and their decision-makers from about ten emerging markets in Asia. This program aims to teach and empower leaders to integrate climate resilience into their businesses. “I’m very much looking forward to listening and learning from these key people—about the challenges they face, how they tackle opportunities, and how we at IFC can support them in their work.”
For Anne, this is more than just a strategy; it’s part of her long-term commitment to change. With over thirty years of experience in diplomacy, policy and private sector engagement, she believes that real change happens when people change.
A portrait wall to stay on target
Throughout her career, Anne has had the privilege of meeting incredibly inspiring and courageous individuals from around the world. These leaders have made remarkable strides in protecting human rights, the environment and the climate, especially in regions like Latin America, Cambodia, Bangladesh, and the West Bank and Gaza.
“I’ve actually created a small portrait gallery in my apartment in Washington, D.C.,” she shares and continues, “among those featured are John F. Kennedy, Barack Obama and Ruth Bader Ginsburg. It’s my way of counterbalancing the turbulent state of global social and geopolitical challenges, while also drawing energy and inspiration.”
That’s a powerful way to stay focused on the positive!
Who would you choose to feature on your own wall?
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Read more about the World Bank Group’s International Finance Corporation (IFC).
Who We Are | International Finance Corporation (IFC)
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