Interview Patricia Francis, Executive Director, International Trade Centre

Patricia Francis, an award-winning leader and business facilitator, joined the International Trade Centre as Executive Director in June 2006.

During her tenure at ITC she has implemented a change management strategy to build common values and strengthen key management functions. ITC has defined and restructured itself around five new business lines, and extensive consultation has led to a stronger Strategic Framework.

The UN Millennium Development Goals have been mainstreamed within the organization, with new strategies and work around trade development related to gender, environment and poverty. New integrated country and regional programmes have been developed, and partnerships have been strengthened through active participation in the One UN initiative and greater coherence with many international and regional trade related organizations.

Ms Francis comes to ITC from Jamaica Trade and Invest, where she served as President since 1995. She was also a member of Jamaica's Cabinet Committee for Development. During her tenure Jamaica attracted more than US$ 5 billion in foreign direct investment.

She served twice as President of the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies. She has chaired Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development's Caribbean Rim Investment Initiative as well as the China-Caribbean Business Council.

She has received awards from the Washington D.C. based Caribbean-Central American Action Council and from the King of Spain for her leadership and support for investment and business advocacy.