Joanna Nurse is the Director General of the InterAction Council, a group of former world leaders and heads of government. She leads initiatives to strengthen global governance on security threats to life and human existence. She established a Global Existential Security Threats Board and a Global Futures Platform for Planet, People and Peace. She has led projects on pandemic prevention, climate action and planetary emergency strategies.
Previously Nurse held senior roles with the UK Government, United Nations, Commonwealth and WHO, where she advanced public health, climate and policy initiatives across multiple countries, regions and sectors. She qualified as a medical doctor, specialised in public health and earned a PhD on violence prevention. Nurse is widely published on global challenges and has authored a book on leadership in crises. She holds a fellowship with the World Academy of Art and Science.
Nurse is committed to using her experience and networks to strengthen multi-sector solutions for global challenges, advance planetary peace and support sustainable prosperity and human well-being.