Maria Livanos Cattaui was secretary general of the International Chamber of Commerce from 1996 to 2005. She has worked for decades at the crossroads of world business and the global economy. Cattaui has deep experience in trade policies, with a particular focus on their impact on developing and emerging economies, and in how businesses can effectively address social and economic issues.
Before joining the International Chamber of Commerce, Cattaui was with the World Economic Forum in Geneva for nearly two decades. She rose to become managing director, responsible for the annual meeting in Davos, where she was instrumental in building it into the world’s foremost gathering of leaders. In addition to the Open Society Global Board, she serves as a board member of several non-profit organizations including the International Crisis Group and the Institute of International Education.
Cattaui, of Greek origin and Swiss nationality, was educated in the United States. She graduated with honors from Harvard University and holds an honorary doctor of laws degree from York University, Toronto.