White House personnel director under consideration for top spot at UNICEF: report

The director of the White House Presidential Personnel Office, Cathy Russell, is reportedly being considered to serve as head of UNICEF.

Sources close to the matter told The Washington Post that Russell has long had an interest in the position and that her position within the administration will likely make her a top candidate. 

Russell previously served as ambassador-at-large for global women’s issues for the Obama administration. In her position as head of Biden’s personnel office, Russell oversaw the confirmation process of Biden’s Cabinet members, as well as 200 nominees for Senate-confirmed roles.

UNICEF is the United Nations’s agency dedicated to humanitarian aid to children worldwide. The Post said the position of executive director is responsible for filling around 4,000 political appointment positions.

The Hill has reached out to the White House and UNICEF for comment.

News of Russell’s potential appointment comes shortly after UNICEF chief Henrietta Fore announced that she would be stepping down due to family health issues, the Post notes. Fore has stated that she will remain in the position until September, when the U.N. General Assembly session ends, and until a replacement for her is found.

If selected, Russell would be one of the first senior Biden staffers to leave the White House, the Post notes.