Holly W. Benner was appointed as the World Bank Resident Representative for Jordan in January 2021 with responsibility for leading the World Bank¡¯s program and staff in Jordan, including a portfolio of over US$4 billion across more than 15 projects to promote inclusive and green growth and development in line with the country¡¯s Economic Modernization Vision.
Ms. Benner has over 20 years of experience promoting development solutions for countries facing complex transition, reform, and conflict-related challenges. She previously worked in the Social Development Global Practice for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, where she led multi-sector operations and analytics, including on conflict-recovery in Ukraine and programs in Tajikistan and Kyrgyz Republic that combined energy infrastructure with community-based development.
Ms. Benner joined the World Bank in 2009 as Coordinator for the 2011 World Development Report on Conflict, Security and Development and then served in the World Bank¡¯s Fragility, Conflict and Violence Group where she was Program Manager for the State- and Peacebuilding Fund, Korean Trust Fund for Transitions, and United Nations-World Bank Partnership Trust Fund. ?
Prior to joining the Bank, she managed a project on reform of the multilateral system at the Brookings Institution, served as a Conflict Advisor in the U.S. Embassy in Nepal and led dialogue programs for youth from the Middle East, Cyprus, and the Balkans while with Seeds of Peace.?
Ms. Benner holds a Master¡¯s Degree in Development Economics and Conflict Resolution and Post-Conflict Peacebuilding from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University; and a Bachelor¡¯s Degree from Colorado College.