Annelise Thornton Headshot

Annelise Thornton

Chief People and Culture Officer, World Vision International

Annelise is the World Vision International Chief People and Culture Officer since Jan. 2024. She is a global People & Culture leader across multiple sectors, and has a strong mix of strategic and operational human resources experience.

Annelise is passionate about international development and has felt led by God to serve with World Vision. In her own words, “Empowering people to live ‘life in all its fullness’ is a compelling vision, and one that resonates with me on a personal level. I continue to be mindful of the privilege we have to work in this ministry. It is a blessing.” 

Annelise previously served as VisionFund International’s Global Director, People & Culture from May 2020 through June 2023; her portfolio included Governance and Security (up to 2022) Safeguarding and People & Culture. Prior to that, she worked with Dell Computer BV, Three, Juniper Networks, Granite Services and FieldCore, part of the GE conglomerate. She has a BA in Psychology and Sociology from UNISA, and a post graduate diploma in Business Administration from the Open University.

Born in Zimbabwe and educated in Africa and Asia, Annelise currently lives in the UK with her husband Paul and their three sons Michael, Andrew and Marcus. They have a busy, active and full home life with the benefit of a wonderful support system including her parents who live with them. She is a Member of Trinity Church.