Frannie Léautier facts for kids

Frannie Léautier is a very successful woman from Tanzania. She is a civil engineer, which means she designs and builds things like roads and bridges. She also works as a teacher and helps big organizations around the world with money and development. She helps businesses, governments, and charities grow and do well.

Frannie's Early Life and Education

Frannie Léautier was born in Moshi, a town in northern Tanzania. She grew up with three sisters and three brothers. When she was three, her family moved to Lushoto, a town in the Usambara Mountains. Her grandfather inspired her to study science and engineering.

Frannie went to the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. In 1984, she earned a degree in Civil Engineering. She then studied at the famous Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States. There, she earned a master's degree in Transportation in 1986. She continued her studies and received a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering in 1990.

Frannie's Career Journey

Frannie Léautier started working with the World Bank in 1992. This organization helps countries around the world with development. She joined full-time in 1994 and worked in Washington, DC, for 15 years. She had many important jobs there.

In 2000, she was the Director of Infrastructure. This meant she was in charge of projects like building roads and power plants. In 2001, she became the Chief of Staff for the President of the World Bank Group. From 2001 to 2007, she led the World Bank Institute. This part of the World Bank helps train people in developing countries.

After leaving the World Bank, Frannie started her own company called Fezembat Group. It was a consulting business based in France. She worked there from 2007 to 2009.

From 2009 to 2013, Frannie moved to Harare, Zimbabwe. She became the Executive Secretary of the African Capacity Building Foundation. This group helps African countries improve their skills and institutions. During this time, she also taught as a professor at Sciences Po in Paris.

In 2013, Frannie returned to Tanzania. She helped start Mkoba Private Equity Fund. This fund invested in new business opportunities across Africa. She worked there for about two and a half years.

In 2017, Frannie was considered for a top job at the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. This fund works to fight major diseases worldwide.

Later, Frannie rejoined the Fezembat Group as a special advisor. She also served as a vice-chair on their board. She then worked at the African Development Bank (AfDB) as a Senior Vice President. In 2018, she joined the Trade and Development Bank (TDB) in Nairobi. By 2019, she was the Executive Director for the bank's asset management business.

In May 2020, Frannie became a Senior Partner at The SouthBridge Group. In this role, she helps the company find new business and grow in different markets.

Other Important Work

Frannie Léautier has been a board member for many important organizations. These include:

• United Nations Foundation: She helps guide the work of the United Nations.
• World Future Council: This group works for a sustainable future.
• African Risk Capacity (ARC): She helps manage risks for African countries.
• African Culture Fund (ACF): She supports arts and culture in Africa.
• Institute for Security Studies: She advises on safety and security issues.
• Institute for Integrated Transitions (IFIT): She helps countries move towards peace.
• World Economic Forum (WEF): She is part of a group that advises on Africa's economy.
• Commissioner on the Economy and Climate - New Climate Economy: She works on economic growth that is good for the environment.
• Uongozi Institute (Leadership Institute): She helped start this institute for leaders.
• African Economic Research Consortium (AERC): She helps with economic research in Africa.
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology Corporation: She helps oversee MIT.
• Nelson Mandela African Institute of Science and Technology: She helped found this science institute.
• Journal of Infrastructure Systems: She helped start this journal about infrastructure.
• King Baudouin Foundation USA: She was a trustee for this foundation.
• Women's World Banking: She was a trustee for this organization that helps women in business.

Awards and Recognition

In 2019, Frannie Léautier received an honorary doctorate degree from Lancaster University in the United Kingdom. This was to recognize her global work in building infrastructure. She also has an honorary degree from North Central College in the United States. This was for her contributions to Africa.

Frannie has won many awards, including "Best Manager" at the World Bank Group. She has also been featured in New African Magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in Africa. The Agona people in Ghana gave her the title ‘Nkosuohemaa’. This means ‘queen of development’ in their language, honoring her work there. She was also recognized in a book called African Women of Worth.

Publications and Teaching

Frannie Léautier is a well-known writer and teacher. She has written books, articles, and papers about international development, leadership, and Africa's role in the world. She has taught master's level classes and given speeches at many top universities. These include Sciences Po, MIT, Harvard University, Duke University, and the University of Tokyo.

Some of Frannie's Books

• Leadership in a Globalized World: Complexity, Dynamics and Risks
• Cities and Spaces of Leadership: A Geographical Perspective Book
• Development Drivers in Africa: Role of Innovation

Personal Life

Frannie Léautier speaks several languages. She is fluent in Kiswahili, French, and English. She also knows some Spanish and Arabic.

See also

• Irene Tarimo
• Mary Mgonja
• Fausta Shakiwa Mosha
• Joyce Msuya