Kevin Jenkins became President and Chief Executive Officer of World Vision International in October 2009. His goal in leading the Christian relief, development and advocacy organisation is to achieve meaningful, lasting change for the world’s most vulnerable communities, with a focus on children. He previously served the organisation as a volunteer board member with World Vision Canada.
Prior to joining World Vision, Jenkins had a 25 year career in business, which included serving as President and CEO of Canadian Airlines, President and CEO of The Westaim Corporation (turning technological innovations into marketable products), and as a Managing Director of TriWest Capital Partners (a private equity firm).
Travelling extensively, Mr. Jenkins spends time in communities with children, families and staff in many of the 96 countries where World Vision works. He has participated in relief emergency work in Africa, Haiti, the Philippines and the Middle East; visited development projects; talked with microfinance recipients and launched advocacy campaigns.
Mr. Jenkins is a member of a number of global organisations which, amongst other things, pursue sustainable improvements in well-being for the world’s most vulnerable communities, the increased effectiveness of civil society and excellence in governance. He is the Board Chair of the International Civil Society Centre and serves on the Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response, which represents the largest agencies that respond to relief crises. He is also a member of the World Economic Forum.
In January 2016, the UN Secretary-General appointed Mr. Jenkins to serve on the High-Level Steering Group for Every Woman Every Child. This group provides guidance on the Global Strategy to end all preventable deaths of women, children and adolescents, and ensure that they not only survive, but thrive and transform the world.
Mr. Jenkins earned a law degree from the University of Alberta and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Mr. Jenkins is based at World Vision International’s Executive Office near London, United Kingdom. He has been married for 37 years and has three adult children.
