About

Onno Ruhl is an accomplished professional with over 35 years of experience in various leadership roles. He is currently the General Manager of the Aga Khan Agency for Habitat, an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network. In this role, he is responsible for leading the creation of a new agency that focuses on improving the habitat and resilience of communities in South and Central Asia and the Middle East. Onno has a wide range of expertise in areas such as Country Strategy, Private and Financial Sector development, PPPs for Infrastructure and Health, Change Management, Economic Strategy, Post Conflict Reconstruction, Monitoring and Evaluation, and Portfolio Management. Prior to joining the Aga Khan Agency, Onno worked with the World Bank for over two decades, where he held several leadership positions, including Country Director for India, Director for Operations Services and Quality in the South Asia Region, and Country Director for Nigeria. During his tenure at the World Bank, he managed the bank's portfolio in India, valued at $25 billion, and grew the lending program to a volume of $5 billion per year, the largest in the world. Onno's educational background includes a post-graduate course in Diplomacy from Clingendael Institute/Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Hague, and a Gymnasium Beta degree from Gymnasium Haganum. He also has experience working as a career diplomat with the Netherlands Foreign Service. In his current role, Onno is leading the creation of a new agency that combines the teams and infrastructure of the former Aga Khan Planning and Building Services and FOCUS Humanitarian Assistance in Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Syria. With over 900 staff based in the field and five country offices, the agency uses its close links with vulnerable communities to build disaster resilience and preparedness. Onno is responsible for creating the core structure of the agency in terms of legal set-up, governance, staff rules and HR systems, identity building, and communication. Onno's expertise in infrastructure and QA makes him a valuable asset to any organization. He is a visionary leader who has a track record of delivering results and managing large teams.