Gretchen Biery Takes the Helm as EBRD Director for Eastern Mediterranean

(IN BRIEF) The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has named Gretchen Biery as Director for its eastern Mediterranean region, overseeing operations in Jordan, Lebanon, and the West Bank and Gaza. Effective from September 1, 2023, she reports to the Managing Director of the southern and eastern Mediterranean (SEMED) region and will be based in Jordan. With a background in multilateral development banks and the US Treasury, Biery brings extensive regional knowledge and expertise to the role. Her focus includes supporting small businesses, agribusiness, infrastructure, renewable energy, and local capital markets. EBRD’s investments in the SEMED region total over €19.2 billion, contributing to local economic resilience and development.

(PRESS RELEASE) LONDON, 4-Sep-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), a multilateral developmental investment bank, has announced the appointment of Gretchen Biery as the Director for its eastern Mediterranean region. In her new role, Biery will oversee the EBRD’s operations in Jordan, Lebanon, and the West Bank and Gaza. Her tenure officially began on 1 September 2023, reporting directly to the Managing Director of the southern and eastern Mediterranean (SEMED) region. Biery will be stationed in Jordan, succeeding Philip ter Woort.

An accomplished American professional, Biery joined the EBRD in 2018 as the Head of Lebanon, where she successfully established the EBRD’s office in Beirut and supervised its operations. Transitioning into the role of Senior Advisor to the Managing Director of the SEMED region in 2021, she focused on crucial preparations for the Bank’s potential expansion into sub-Saharan Africa and Iraq. Additionally, Biery collaborated with emerging shareholders in the region, including Algeria.

“It is a great privilege to take over this role delivering the EBRD’s activities in the eastern Mediterranean,” Ms Biery said. “I’m very happy to return to the region and look forward to building on the achievements of my predecessors, supporting the region’s economy and working to deliver the Bank’s green and sustainable agenda with the public and private sectors.”

Her distinguished career includes strategic and operational roles within multilateral development banks, the US Treasury, and consulting engagements with bilateral development agencies. With extensive experience in the Middle East and Southeast Asia, she brings a wealth of regional knowledge, strong public-sector engagement skills, and a proven track record of facilitating private-sector development.

Biery holds a master’s degree in international relations and economics from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, along with a degree in international political science from the University of Louisville.

The EBRD initiated its operations in the SEMED region in 2012 and has since invested over €19.2 billion to bolster local economies. Combining investment and policy engagement, the Bank prioritizes enhancing local resilience. The focus areas encompass support for small and medium-sized enterprises, agribusiness promotion, infrastructure and local services development, renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives, and the strengthening of local capital markets.

Media contact:

Tel: +44 207 338 7805
Email: press@ebrd.com

SOURCE: EBRD