Maria Livanos Cattaui was Secretary General of the International Chamber of Commerce from 1996 to 2005.

Cattaui worked with the World Economic Forum in Geneva from 1977 to 1996, where she became Managing Director, responsible for the celebrated Annual Meeting in Davos, building the public awareness it enjoys today.

She holds Board of Directors memberships on the Open Society Foundations, the International Crisis Group and the Institute of International Education among others.

Cattaui, of Greek origin and Swiss nationality, was educated in the United States. She graduated with honors from Harvard University and holds an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from York University, Toronto.

She joined the Global Commission on Drug Policy in 2011.