Nepali diplomat and development professional Kul Chandra Gautam has been appointed the new Chairman of The Boards of RESULTS and RESULTS Educational Fund. Gautam will begin his term in June 2016 as incumbent Chairman Dr. Scott Leckman concludes his service.

In June, Gautam will assume leadership from Leckman, who is stepping down as Chair after eight years of service. Dr. Leckman is a general surgeon in Utah, and has volunteered his time and medical expertise in the U.S. and all around the world.

Gautam is currently active in Nepal’s civil society leadership promoting issues concerning good governance, human rights and development and is a former Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF and Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations.

RESULTS and RESULTS Educational Fund are sister organisations that are working to end poverty in the United States and around the world. 

In a report posted at Result website, retiring Board Chair Leckman has said that he is thrilled that Gautam will be bringing his immense talents to bear in the role. “I know his leadership will help push us toward our shared goal of the end of poverty in the United States and around the world,” said Leckman. 

Gautam’s relationship with RESULTS spans more than 25 years. Gautam, who was at UNICEF in 1990, was a key architect of the historic World Summit for Children and drafted the summit’s Declaration and Plan of Action. He has worked closely with RESULTS throughout this time, as an ally, advisor, and Board member.

“I am honored to take on this new role as Board Chair. RESULTS’ effective advocacy work has helped accelerate incredible progress toward ending the worst aspects of poverty in this country and around the world,” Gautam said. “Yet much more work remains: even in the United States, a staggering one out of every five children lives in poverty. We must do more, and together I know we will.”