Valerie Newsom Guarnieri is World Food Program (WFP) Assistant Executive Director, leading cutting-edge program and policy development towards ending hunger. In this role, she spearheads people-centered humanitarian and development efforts to meet urgent food and nutrition needs, promote school meals and healthy diets, strengthen livelihoods and resilient food systems, support cash transfers and social protection, and empower women.

Within WFP, Ms. Guarnieri previously led WFP operations in East and Central Africa as Regional Director, and worked in a variety of country office and headquarter positions. Prior to WFP, she staffed the National Security Council at the White House, where she served as Director for Humanitarian Affairs, and led disaster response efforts in East Africa in the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

Born in Heidelberg, Germany, Ms. Guarnieri grew up in Asia, where her father worked to develop local trade unions. She holds a Master of Arts from the School of International Service of American University in Washington, DC, and is married with three children.