Robert B. Zoellick
July 1, 2007 - June 30, 2012
Modernized and recapitalized the World Bank by prioritizing good governance and anti-corruption strategies while confronted with the global financial crisis of 2008-2009 and post-conflict issues in member states.
Paul D. Wolfowitz
June 1, 2005 - June 30, 2007
Emphasized support on Africa through the Bank's Africa Action Plan (AAP), pursued a strategy on clean energy and climate change, and advocated for the repatriation of looted assets to developing countries.
James D. Wolfensohn
June 1, 1995 - May 31, 2005
Prioritized the Bank's core purpose: fight global poverty and help the world's poor forge better lives.
Known as the "Renaissance Banker", Wolfensohn pursued many initiatives including debt relief and the fight against the "cancer of corruption".
Lewis T. Preston
September 1, 1991 - May 4, 1995
Led the Bank with agility and responsiveness to meet the changing needs of members: welcoming former Soviet Republics as new members, establishing lending programs in the newly democratic South Africa, and resuming lending
operations in Vietnam.
Barber Conable
July 1, 1986 - August 31, 1991
Realigned his administration with the Bank's central mission of alleviating poverty and recognized the significance of tackling environmental problems. He also oversaw the most extensive reorganization in the Bank's history.
A. W. Clausen
July 1, 1981 - June 30, 1986
Oversaw the expansion of structural adjustment lending during the debt crisis of the early 1980s and emphasized the need for additional assistance to sub-Saharan Africa to provide development infrastructure.
Robert S. McNamara
April 1, 1968 - June 30, 1981
Transformed the World Bank into a development organization by focusing on the needs of people living in extreme poverty.
Expanded operations into new sectors and dramatically increased lending commitments and the number of Bank staff.
George D. Woods
January 1, 1963 - March 31, 1968
Reinforced the Bank's role as a development institution and redirected its focus and resources to the analysis of development and the support of relevant economic activities.
Eugene R. Black
July 1, 1949 - December 31, 1962
Established the Bank as an impartial mediator in international disputes, built the Bank's credit in U.S. capital markets, and formalized operational policies. Two major affiliates were created during his administration: IFC and IDA.
John J. McCloy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_J._McCloy
March 17, 1947 - June 30, 1949
Solidified the Bank's role as a lending institution and clarified the respective roles of the executive directors and the president. Agreement between the World Bank and the United Nations was formalized during his administration.
John Jay McCloy (March 31, 1895 – March 11, 1989) was an American lawyer, diplomat, banker, and high-ranking bureaucrat. He served as Assistant Secretary of War during World War II under Henry Stimson. In this capacity he dealt with German sabotage and political tensions in the North Africa Campaign. He was both the prime mover of Japanese internment[2] and as well as a high-ranking Federal bureaucrat who opposed the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.[3][4] After the war, he served as the president of the World Bank, U.S. High Commissioner for Germany, chairman of Chase Manhattan Bank, chairman of the Council on Foreign Relations, a member of the Warren Commission, and a prominent adviser to all presidents from Franklin D. Roosevelt to Ronald Reagan.
McCloy was a member of a foreign policy group called "The Wise Men."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_J._McCloy