Speaker Bio

Susann leads ADB’s knowledge management and innovation program and heads ADB’s knowledge advisory service center. The center supports cross-sector knowledge programs and works on innovation ecosystem development in countries. Susann developed ADB’s first futures and foresight program and she has designed ADB’s first technology innovation challenge. Before this role, Susann managed several ADB trust funds, which piloted innovative health sector interventions for regional health security and pandemic preparedness. Susann launched the first ADB health bond, developed the first digital health flagship program, championed health impact assessment across sectors and supported ADB’s first private sector investments in health sector companies and equity funds. She launched ADB’s Operational Plan for Health 2015-2020 which brought back the health sector in ADB. Susann also led the ADB-UNDP-ESCAP partnership during the preparation of the SDGs. She joined ADB in 2009 as Social Development Specialist in Central and West Asia, where she worked on social and gender development issues across all sectors.