John Samuel is a globally respected development practitioner and thought leader with over 30 years of experience in organizational leadership, humanitarian response, sustainable development, public policy, and advocacy. He brings to the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development (Centre LSD) a wealth of global insight and a deep commitment to democratic governance, rights-based development, and people-centered leadership.

He has held senior leadership positions within the United Nations, including as Director and Head of the Global Programme on Governance Assessments and Global Democratic Governance Advisor at UNDP. He also served as International Director of ActionAid International, CEO of the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development, and Global Chair of the Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP). In India, he was the founding CEO of the National Centre for Advocacy Studies, pioneering participatory policy advocacy and civil society engagement.

John is the founder and Chief Mentor of the Institute of Sustainable Development and Governance and Bodhigram Foundation, and has played a key role in establishing numerous institutions, including the Centre for Budget and Governance Accountability, Centre for Communication and Development Studies, and the OpenSpace youth network.

A visiting fellow at the Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex, and the Advocacy Institute in Washington, John has published widely on democratic governance, advocacy, public policy, and civil society. As a member of Centre LSD’s International Advisory Council, he brings invaluable strategic guidance, global experience, and a lifelong dedication to social justice and transformational development.