Amy E. Pope
Ms. Amy E. Pope of the United States of America began her five-year term as the eleventh Director General (DG) of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) on 1 October 2023. She is the first woman Director General of IOM. DG Pope is a dynamic leader with demonstrated experience in addressing complex migration issues and bringing transformative change across organizations. Prior to her historic election, DG Pope was IOM’s Deputy Director General (DDG) for Management and Reform. During her tenure as DDG, Ms. Pope implemented a series of budgetary, management and administrative reforms to optimize IOM’s field delivery and risk management, enhance internal justice outcomes and operational results, and strengthen coordination with the United Nations system. Before joining IOM, DG Pope served as the Senior Advisor on Migration to US President Biden and served as the Deputy Homeland Security Advisor to President Obama. While working at the White House, DG Pope developed and implemented comprehensive strategies to address migration, in areas such as countering trafficking in persons, resettling refugees and vulnerable people, and preparing communities to respond and adapt to climate-related crises. She has promoted dialogue on global migration challenges and opportunities through her academic writing and work with Chatham House. She has also occupied positions at the US Department of Justice and US Senate and was a Partner in the London-based law firm, Schillings. Recognizing that global systems must adapt to the world’s current realities, DG Pope has empowered diverse teams to achieve change and create inclusive solutions that prioritize the needs of impacted people, especially migrants. DG Pope firmly believes that engagement with all stakeholders, including Members States, the private sector, civil society organizations and migrants themselves, is key to harnessing the power of migration. DG Pope graduated magna cum laude from the Duke University School of Law with a Juris Doctor and has a BA in Political Science (with Honors) from the Haverford College in Pennsylvania. She is married and has two daughters.
Ugochi Daniels
Ms. Ugochi Daniels was appointed as IOM's Deputy Director General of Operations, taking office on September 1, 2021. Prior to joining IOM, Ugochi Daniels was the Chief of Staff at the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), covering Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and the Occupied Palestinian Territory. She was also the United Nations Resident Coordinator and Designated Official for Security in the Islamic Republic of Iran from 2018 to 2020. From 2013 to 2018, Ugochi Daniels was the Chief of the Humanitarian and Fragile Contexts Branch at the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Headquarters, covering over seventy countries where UNFPA was responding to emergencies. Her stint at UNFPA includes assignments in the Philippines (Country Representative, 2010–2013) and Nepal (Deputy Representative, 2007–2010). Ms. Daniels joined the UNFPA in 2002 as the Deputy Program Manager for Africa Youth Alliance (2002–2007), covering Ghana, Tanzania, Botswana, and Uganda. Prior to joining the UN, Ms. Daniels was the Monitoring and Evaluation Information Specialist of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission in Nigeria from 1999 to 2002. Ms. Daniels also has private sector experience, having worked in the information technology, manufacturing, and financial services industries from 1992 to 1999. Ms. Daniels is recognized as a UN (S)hero for her advocacy of women's health in humanitarian emergencies and her commitment to protecting human rights and promoting peace. She is dedicated to solving global problems through peace and development partnerships and emphasizes justice, equality, and community engagement. She holds a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Geography, a Post-graduate Diploma in Information Management for Business Decisions and is a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer.
