Saadia Zahidi
The International Air Transport Association has named World Economic Forum managing director Saadia Zahidi as its next director general, effective Nov. 1, the organization announced Thursday.
Zahidi will succeed Willie Walsh, who will depart IATA on July 31 to become CEO of IndiGo airlines. He has been with IATA since April 2021. The association's board has appointed IATA CFO Sandrine Le Borgne to serve as interim director general for the intervening period.
Zahidi will be IATA's ninth director general and the first woman appointed to the position, according to the association. She has been at the World Economic Forum for more than two decades. In addition to her current role, she founded and heads WEF's Center for the New Economy and Society, and previously led the organization's global communications group, global programming group, and engagement with academics, civil society and international organizations, according to IATA. She also founded and co-authors WEF's Future of Jobs, Future of Growth and Global Gender Gap reports and Chief Economist Outlooks.
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