This page, produced by the World Bank Group Archives, provides an overview of World Bank presidents' tenures highlighting their major contributions to the development of the institution and the challenges each of them faced.
History
Past Presidents
Jim Yong Kim
July 2012 - February 2019Oversaw a Bank-wide reorganization, an historic capital increase, the launch of the Human Capital Index, and a sizable investment in the fight against climate change.
Robert B. Zoellick
July 2007 - June 2012Mr. Zoellick modernized and recapitalized the Bank, ramping up its crisis response and making it more accountable, flexible, fast-moving, transparent, and focused on good governance and anti-corruption.
Paul Wolfowitz
June 2005 - June 2007Known as a good governance banker who pushed through controversial governance and anti-corruption strategy after extensive global consultations. Placed Africa at the heart of the Bank's poverty reduction agenda.
James D. Wolfensohn
June 1995 - May 2005Known as the "Renaissance Banker." Pushed through reforms that have made the Bank more inclusive, with a renewed focus on poverty reduction.
Lewis Preston
September 1991 - May 1995Distinguished commercial banker. Created a client-oriented vision for the Bank as it celebrated its 50th anniversary.
Barber Conable
July 1986 - August 1991Spurred on the "greening" of the Bank. "...became effective spokesman for the Bank and persuasively advanced the institution's reform agenda." - Banker's with a Mission: The Presidents of the World Bank, 1946-91, J. Kraske, 1996.
Alden Winship Clausen
July 1981 - June 1986Improved the financial management of the Bank. Wrestled with the onset of recession and the 1980s debt.
Robert Strange McNamara
April 1968 - June 1981Expansionist with a social consciousness. "...indefatigable builder and wielder of influence on behalf of the Bank and the development cause." - Banker's with a Mission: The Presidents of the World Bank, 1946-91, J. Kraske, 1996.
George David Woods
January 1963 - March 1968...credited with a great vision for the Bank and a number of bold innovations. - The World Bank: Its First Half Century, Brookings Institution 1997
Eugene Robert Black
July 1949 - December 1962Built a solid financial foundation and led the Bank into an era of financial diplomacy. Much-admired chairman of the Board and popular CEO.
John Jay McCloy
March 1947 - June 1949Started up the Bank's business and lifted its vision from reconstruction to development.