Sumir Lal

About Sumir Lal

Intense curiosity about virtually everything when I was fresh out of college in India led me to become a journalist. I covered war and terrorism, crime and politics, and the lives of ordinary people. Over 18 exciting years, that curiosity had deepened into a passion to understand how politics and social change drive public policy. Which brought me to the field of international development. Now, a further two decades on, I’m a global expert in strategic communication, stakeholder engagement, access to information, and reputation management with a deep understanding of the political economy of reform. I have practical knowledge of multiple geographies across the developing world. I am a seasoned leader with a global network who’s built and led large and successful teams in a cross-cultural environment. My work immerses me in the big development issues of our times. Most of all, I remain driven by the idea that ordinary people (“stakeholders”) must own change if it is to be effective and durable.

Experience

1. Director

   The World Bank Group

   Jul 2014 — Present · Washington, DC, US

   Director for External and Corporate Relations at the World Bank, Washington, DC. As chief of regional communications, I oversee a global team of nearly 200 communications professionals based in Washington and in the Bank’s client countries, who specialize in strategic communication, advocacy, reputation management, stakeholder engagement, and leadership communication. Previously I was director of communications for the Bank’s Global Practices. I have published several papers on the political economy of reform.

Education

• The Johns Hopkins University - Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS)

  Master’s Degree, Public Policy

  2007 — 2009