About

Atty. Lesley Y. Cordero is a Senior Disaster Risk Management Specialist at the World Bank. She manages the Bank?s overall Disaster Risk Management/Urban program in the Philippines. Recently, she led the delivery of a US$500 million Philippine Disaster Risk Management Development Policy Loan to support the Government?s response and recovery efforts for recent disasters and COVID-19. She is also leading the preparation of a Sustainable and Resilient Tourism Project for the Philippines and supported disaster risk management projects in Vietnam, Myanmar, Indonesia, and Fiji Islands.  

A public servant for more than 6 years, Lesley served as Undersecretary at the Office of the President of the Philippines coordinating the reconstruction and recovery efforts of the Philippine Government for Super Typhoon Haiyan ?Yolanda? in 2013 and Typhoon Bopha in 2012. She also spearheaded the implementation of the Sajahatra Bangsamoro initiative ? a peace program that provided basic health, education and livelihood services in the conflict areas of Mindanao. In 2011, Lesley served as Undersecretary at the Presidential Communications Operations Office, tasked to prepare strategic communication plans and policies for the Office of the President. She also served as Commissioner of the National Youth Commission in 2010. 

Lesley graduated magna cum laude with a degree of Bachelor of Philosophy at University of San Carlos in 2001 and Juris Doctor of Laws at the Ateneo de Manila University School of Law in 2005. She is an Adjunct Professor at the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) for their Master?s in Emergency Management, Disaster Risk and Crisis Management Program and Lecturer for the Master?s in Crisis and Disaster Risk Management at the Philippine Public Safety College (PPSC).