Virginia Chimenti, Finance Officer, WFP
Virginia Chimenti was on the threshold of a brilliant UN career. Her sister Claudia noticed her altruistic nature: “Even as a child, she displayed an inner generosity and a genuine concern to look after others.”
Born in Rome, Virginia studied economics in Milan. “Travelling was one of her passions,” says Claudia. “She volunteered in Mexico, Peru, Namibia and Chile on environmental and educational projects…applying managerial and leadership skills was where she wanted to make her mark. She saw it as a means of connecting with human beings. She was a citizen of the world.”
Helping to shape her career was the NGO Alice for Children, in Nairobi, which Virginia joined during her master’s in development studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. “That was when she truly fell in love with Africa,” Claudia says.
Moving on to the UN Capital Development Fund on agricultural finance, Virginia later worked on microfinance projects in Myanmar, at the International Fund for Agricultural Development. At WFP, she concentrated on solving complex business and financial problems. Her positive attitude, enthusiasm and stamina made an impression on all her managers.
Her sister adds: “She was proud of her daily achievements, of making it through every single day with energy and empowerment. She never gave up on people…she liked trying and experiencing new things. To me, she is pure inspiration, so solid, honest, sparkling and resolved as a human being.”
Biographical information and photo provided by WFP.