OGP CEO Sanjay Pradhan to Conclude Outstanding Tenure

Washington, D.C. – The Open Government Partnership (OGP) announced today that Sanjay Pradhan has decided to step down from his role as CEO after an outstanding eight-year tenure leading the organization. Over the next few months, Pradhan will work closely with the OGP Board and Steering Committee to ensure a smooth leadership transition. 

OGP’s Senior Leadership, its Board, and Steering Committee will lead the recruitment of a new CEO capable of guiding the Partnership through a turbulent global political climate, during which open governance is under significant threat but remains crucial for renewing democracy. The recruitment process for the new CEO is now underway, and suitable candidates are encouraged to apply. Learn more here.

During his term as CEO, Pradhan has significantly advanced the global open government agenda. Under his leadership, OGP has achieved global scale, expanding its reach to 76 countries, 150 local governments and thousands of civil society organizations who have together delivered more than 5,500 reforms. These reforms have achieved measurable impact—over 20 percent have significantly opened up government to citizens by creating publicly accessible beneficial ownership registers and open contracting data, engaging citizens in shaping public services such as access to water, healthcare, and education, and empowering people who had previously been excluded from decision-making processes.

At the 2022 World Economic Forum, Pradhan accepted the Schwab Foundation Award as Social Innovator of the Year on behalf of the entire OGP community, recognizing their collective efforts in promoting open and less corrupt governance.

“Leading OGP has been an incredible honor,” said Pradhan. “OGP is stronger than ever, and after more than 8 wonderful years, it is time to pass the baton. I enthusiastically encourage outstanding candidates to apply for this most exciting opportunity to serve as CEO for OGP and take the Partnership to the next level.” 

“The OGP Board and Steering Committee extend their deepest gratitude to Sanjay for his exemplary service and look forward to his continued contributions as an OGP Ambassador,” said Maria Baron, Chair of the OGP Board. “We are committed to finding a successor who will uphold OGP’s values and advance its mission to create more transparent, accountable, and inclusive governments.” 

Blair Glencorse, Civil Society Co-Chair of OGP added: “Sanjay has taken OGP from strength to strength- and is leaving the Partnership as the pre-eminent platform through which governments and civil society can collectively address shared challenges. His successor has important and exciting work to do to build on this legacy and ensure open governance remains a global priority”.  

After his departure, Mr. Pradhan will support the partnership as an OGP Ambassador, alongside eminent global leaders as former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark and Dr. Mo Ibrahim, Founder and Chair of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation.

About OGP:

In 2011, government leaders and civil society advocates came together to create a unique partnership—one that combines these powerful forces to promote accountable, responsive and inclusive governance.

Seventy-six countries and a growing number of local governments—representing more than two billion people—along with thousands of civil society organizations are members of the Open Government Partnership (OGP).

For questions or to set up interviews please contact communications@opengovpartnership.org