Mercy Tembon
Former Vice President and Corporate Secretary of the World Bank Group
Dr. Mercy Tembon is a globally recognized leader with over 25 years of experience in international development. She has served in senior leadership roles at the World Bank Group, including as Vice President & Corporate Secretary, Country/Regional Director, and Country Manager, overseeing strategic operations across Africa, Europe, and Asia.
Her work has focused on human capital development, institutional governance, development finance, women’s economic empowerment and inclusive growth. Dr. Tembon managed investment portfolios exceeding $15 billion and led more than 260 professionals across 55 active projects. She is known for her ability to translate research into policy, build multi-sector partnerships, and lead complex negotiations of projects that deliver measurable impact.
Dr. Tembon’s contributions have been recognized with multiple honors, including the Internal Justice Services Peer Review Award in 2025, Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency & International Finance Corporation Awards for Exemplary Collaboration Across the WBG in 2018, Excellence in Leadership Award from the Staff Association in 2014, Diversity & Inclusion Leadership Award in 2010.
She holds a Ph.D. in the economics of education from the University of London, a master’s in education degree, from the University of Liverpool, an MBA from Strayer University, and a B.Sc. from the University of Yaounde, Cameroon. She has completed executive education programs at Harvard Kennedy School of Government, Wharton School (University of Pennsylvania), and Saïd Business School (University of Oxford).
She is bilingual in French and English and continues to engage with international development communities as a mentor, advisor, and thought leader.