Former IUCN Directors General
IUCN has benefited from the leadership of many illustrious personalities from various parts of the world. Former Directors General brought experience from organisations such as the World Bank, GIZ, universities and national governments in contributing to IUCN and its mission.
Bruno Oberle
2020-present (Switzerland)
Grethel Aguilar (acting)
2019-2020 (Costa Rica)
Inger Andersen
2015-2019 (Denmark)
Julia Marton-Lefèvre
2006-2014 (France, Hungary)
Ibrahim Thiaw (acting)
2006 (Mauritania)
Achim Steiner
2001-2006 (Brazil, Germany)
William Jackson (acting)
2001 (Australia)
Simon Stuart (acting)
2000-2001 (United Kingdom)
Maritta Koch-Weser
1999-2001 (Germany)
David McDowell
1994-1999 (New Zealand)
Martin Holdgate
1988-1994 (United Kingdom)
Kenton Miller
1983-1988 (USA)
Pierre Goeldlin (acting)
1982 (Switzerland)
Lee M. Talbot
1980-1982 (USA)
David Munro
1977-1980 (Canada)
Duncan Poore (acting)
1976-1977 (United Kingdom)
Gerardo Budowski
1970-1976 (Venezuela, Germany)
Joe Berwick
1966-1970 (United Kingdom)
Hugh Elliott
1963-1966 (United Kingdom)
Gerald Watterson
1962 (United Kingdom)
M.C. Bloemers
1959-1960 (Netherlands)
Tracy Philipps (acting)
1955-1958 (United Kingdom)
Jean-Paul Harroy
1948-1955 (Belgium)

Inger Andersen was appointed Director General of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in January 2015 and served through May 2019. Prior to joining IUCN, Ms Andersen held various leadership roles at the World Bank and United Nations. Ms Andersen’s educational background includes a BA from London Metropolitan University North and a MA degree from the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London with specialisation in development economics.