Dr. Leila Pakkala

Leila Pakkala is the UNICEF Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa, a position she has held since March last year. Based in Nairobi, she is responsible for leadership, oversight and guidance to 21 UNICEF country offices as well as the representation of the organization with governments, donors, the private sector and civil society in this region.

From 2010 to 2014, Ms. Pakkala was UNICEF’s Director of Private Fundraising and Partnerships leading UNICEF’s strategic relationship with 36 UNICEF National Committees and guiding UNICEF country offices in private sector fundraising and partnerships activities.

Ms. Pakkala brings more than 20 years of experience in development and humanitarian programming and management to this position, having previously worked for UNICEF in Switzerland (Geneva), Mozambique, Somalia, the United States of America (New York), FYR Macedonia and Uganda, and for the United Nations and the private sector in Ethiopia and Lesotho.

Ms. Pakkala is a national of Iran. She holds a Post Graduate License and a Master of Arts in Psychology and is a qualified counsellor in child development psychology.