The World Bank Group (WBG) has appointed three key leaders for the Middle East region, as announced on July 2, 2025.

Holly Welborn Benner has been named Country Manager for the State of Qatar and will be based out of a new office in Doha.

With Benner’s appointment, WBG aims to bolster relationships with Qatar’s private and public development priorities, in line with the national vision 2030. She brings over two decades of experience to her new role. Most recently, she served as the “Resident Representative for Jordan, overseeing a program focused on growth and jobs aligned with Jordan's Economic Modernization Vision,” WBG shared. 

Adding, “She has worked on development solutions for countries facing complex transition and reform challenges, including leading operations in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Her work included conflict-recovery efforts in Ukraine and programs in Tajikistan and Kyrgyz Republic that integrated energy infrastructure with community development,”

Joining her new role, Benner commented, "As I step into the role of Country Manager for Qatar, I am both honored and excited to contribute to the World Bank Group's mission of fostering sustainable development and economic growth, bringing together public and private sector solutions to help Qatar implement its National Vision 2030. Qatar's dynamic landscape also offers unique opportunities for the World Bank Group to promote Qatar’s knowledge, innovation and investment in the Middle East region and globally."

Enrique Blanco Armas has been named Country Manager for Lebanon and will be based in Beirut.

Blanco Armas brings over two decades of leadership experience within WBG in Africa, South Asia, East Asia and Pacific, and Europe and Central Asia regions. Most recently, he served as the Manager for the Strategy and Operations Unit of the International Development Association (IDA), the group’s fund for poorest countries. 

“This new role will unify country-level leadership across the different arms of the institution to help drive sustainable recovery and development and create jobs by supporting both public and private sector priorities,” WBG added. 

Blanco Armas also commented, "Strengthening our partnerships with the government, the private sector, and development partners is vital to supporting Lebanon as it navigates the path toward a sustainable and inclusive recovery. I am delighted to take on this new role and work together with the dedicated World Bank, IFC, and MIGA teams to increase our development impact for the people in Lebanon."

Wendy Werner has been named Country Manager for the Sultanate of Oman and will be based out of a new office in Muscat.

Werner joining her new role in Oman brings over 20 years of leadership experience across emerging and frontier markets. “She has led transformative investments in climate finance, gender inclusion, and sustainable infrastructure including impactful projects such as building India’s electric vehicle ecosystem, developing renewable energy supply and infrastructure, scaling green finance and embedding sustainability in manufacturing,” WBG shared. 

Prior to this appointment, she worked as the Country Head for International Finance Corporation (IFC) in India, and the Maldives. 

Commenting on her new role, Werner added, "I am honored to take on the responsibility as the first World Bank Group’s Country Manager for The Sultanate of Oman and bring together our forces to increase the impact we deliver in Oman and beyond. 

I look forward to working closely with Oman’s public and the private sector to address the country’s key priorities, including building economic resilience, enhancing access to sustainable finance for Small and Medium Enterprises, and fostering private sector development both within and outside the country."

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All three leaders will play a key role in strengthening the WBG's presence across these emerging markets in the Middle East, supporting both private and public development priorities in line with the national goals of each country.