Jehane Sedky is a seasoned senior executive and chief of staff known for providing strategic guidance and support to prominent leaders such as former US President Bill Clinton, UNICEF Executive Director Carol Bellamy and the late Harvard University Professor Dr. Paul Farmer. Her expertise spans a wide spectrum of responsibilities, including strategic program development, implementation, fundraising, media, and communications. Renowned for exceptional project and people management skills, Ms. Sedky excels in unifying teams toward common goals. Notably, she served as President Clinton’s senior advisor and head of office during his tenure as UN Special Envoy for Haiti and, earlier, as his spokesperson and speechwriter for his role as the UN Special Envoy for Tsunami Recovery. Furthermore, in her capacity as a senior advisor to Dr. Paul Farmer, Ms. Sedky played a pivotal role in steering the strategic direction and executing his vision for both his UN office and the subsequent establishment of the think tank he founded, the Science of Implementation Initiative.
Prior to her work with President Clinton and Dr. Paul Farmer, Ms. Sedky served as senior strategic advisor to UN Assistant Secretary-General for Conflict Prevention and Recovery. In this chief of staff role, Ms. Sedky was instrumental in shaping the strategic direction of a 200-person global operation, managing communications, fundraising efforts, delicate staff relationships, and overall program strategy.
Renowned for her team-building skills, Ms. Sedky has effectively led senior management teams, navigated crises calmly, and fostered an environment focused on achieving strategic goals. Her extensive experience in cultivating and managing partnerships across diverse institutions and continents underscores her proficiency in establishing impactful global networks.
Earlier in her career, Ms. Sedky served a stint at CNN International and later led the UNICEF Global Media Relations team responsible for spearheading the organization’s messaging and crisis management across 150 country offices. Ms. Sedky has authored a book on children and armed conflict and a chapter in Paul Farmer’s book Haiti After the Earthquake. In addition, the cutting-edge research she led at the United Nations and later at the Science of Implementation Initiative has been cited in Paul Farmer’s books and various articles.
Ms. Sedky speaks four languages and is the proud mother of three. In her free time, she leads a youth group that supports the homeless in Cambridge, Massachusetts.