The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has appointed Leah Gutierrez as the new director general for its Central and West Asia Department, effective July 28, 2025. She will lead strategic engagement with 11 countries in the region.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) announced Monday the appointment of Leah Gutierrez as the new director general for its Central and West Asia Department, effective July 28, 2025.
Gutierrez will lead the multilateral development bank’s strategic agenda and engagement with 11 countries: Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Türkiye, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
She replaces Eugene (Yevgeniy) Zhukov, who has been assigned as the new director general for the bank’s Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department. Zhukov had served as the Central and West Asia department’s director general since 2021.
A Philippine national, Gutierrez brings over 35 years of professional experience, including 24 years at the ADB. She previously served as director general for the bank’s Sectors Department 3 and the Pacific Department. She has also held senior positions in ADB’s Strategy, Policy and Partnerships Department, Southeast Asia Department, and Office of the Secretary.
Gutierrez holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Economics from the University of the Philippines.
“I am honored to serve in this position and will continue to engage with developing member countries and stakeholders to promote inclusive growth, regional cooperation, and sustainable development across the region,” Gutierrez said in a statement.
