Catty Bennet Sattler
Director of Human Resources
Versoix
Summary
Experienced and visionary HR leader with a proven track record of delivering transformational results across the humanitarian and private sector. After successfully modernizing the people function and leading major global HR initiatives at UNHCR, building a strong legacy of technology, and AI enabled innovation, efficiency, and people-centered leadership as well as playing an Inter-agency leadership role in the Chief Executives Board HR Network, I am now exploring my next challenge. As a Swedish national I am a firm believer in the European importance for a peaceful and sustainable future. As a global HR executive with over two decades of international experience in senior HR leadership roles, I bring the strategic perspective, expertise and leadership experience, and reform-oriented mindset to contribute to this as Director of Human Resources for the Council of the European Union.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
30
30
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Director of Human Resources
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR
Geneva
12.2018 - 06.2025
- Leading the team of 400 dedicated HR colleagues globally
- Span of control: HR Shared Services, HR Operations, HR Business Partnering, Staff Health & Wellbeing, Talent Management & Mobility, Diversity & Inclusion, Learning & Skills Development, Workforce Communication & Change and HR Technology & People Analytics.
- Driving major HR transformation with radical simplification and streamlining enabled by AI, digitalization and technology towards a more efficient, modern and people centric.
- Managed all people aspects of 2 global restructuring exercises in 2023 and 2025 including 30% workforce reductions
- Led Occupational Health and Safety during COVID-19 crisis
- Successful global implementation of Workday in 18 months by radically streamlining and simplifying of over 200 processes and 15 HR policies.
- Nominated for Best Overall Transformation at Workday Rising EMEA 2023
- Co-Chair of the UN CEB Human Resources Network
- Co-lead of the UN Taskforce on the Future of the UN Workforce.
- Led development and implementation of comprehensive HR policies, ensuring compliance with international labor standards and best practices.
- Oversaw recruitment processes, including talent acquisition strategies, to attract diverse candidates for various positions across operations.
- Collaborated with senior leadership to identify workforce planning needs and develop succession plans for critical roles within the organization.
- Streamlined HR processes to increase efficiency in hiring and onboarding procedures.
Deputy Director of Human Resources & Global Head of Talent Management
International Committee of the Red Cross, ICRC
Geneva
03.2016 - 11.2018
- Co-led the large-scale Human Resources Transformation at ICRC to become more people centric through restructure, upskilling and targeted hiring and led the change management process.
- Oversaw global talent management, learning and leadership development, engagement and communication and HR Compliance.
- Reformed performance management
- Regular interactions with the ICRC President and Director-General both as trusted adviser and as designated locum for the HR Director in the ICRC Directorate.
- I also served on the governance bodies for organizational management, planning and global budgeting and on the ICRC Project Board
- Implemented new global HR tool (SAP SuccessFactors)
- Launched suite of measures to enhance modern people management in all ICRC delegations globally.
- Developed and implemented policies that improved service delivery across multiple humanitarian programs.
- Oversaw budgeting processes, ensuring financial accountability and adherence to funding requirements for various projects.
- Cultivated strong relationships with stakeholders thereby improving business collaborations.
- Oversaw recruitment process, attracting top-tier talent into the organization.
- Developed strategic plans to meet organisational goals.
Head of Talent Development Unit
United Nations Development Program
New York
05.2014 - 03.2016
- Led the team responsible for enabling and fostering a global culture of life-long learning, building a pipeline of global leaders across UNDP and facilitating career management at all levels.
- Played key role in the talent management process by designing and implementing innovative global learning and leadership development programs in partnership with internal and external resources, clients and stakeholders.
- Designed and delivered the global launch of the UNDP Leadership Development Pathway, a high impact, low cost, blended leadership development program targeting 1700 leaders with full executive support by UNDP Senior Executive team.
- Earned a Gold Medal Award of Chief Learning Officer Magazine Awards 2016 as Trailblazer in Talent Development.
- Spearheaded employee engagement initiatives, resulting in improved staff satisfaction scores through regular feedback mechanisms and recognition programs.
- Established strong relationships with educational institutions for direct access to emerging talent pool.
- Championed the design and execution of leadership development programmes to groom future leaders.
Head of People Strategy
United Nations Development Programme, UNDP
New York
07.2013 - 02.2014
- Responsible for design and development of UNDP’s People Strategy to facilitate the implementation of UNDP's Strategic Plan.
- Played a key role in designing the new HR Service Delivery Model aimed at ensuring increased efficiency of HR processes, increased flexibility for Country Offices and higher client satisfaction
- Streamlined donor reporting for HR
- Designed and implemented strategic workforce planning, to optimize staffing levels globally.
- Partnered with senior management on strategic workforce planning aligning human resources strategy with UNDP's strategic objectives.
Global Diversity Manager, Siemens Chief Diversity Office
Siemens AG
Sydney
07.2011 - 06.2013
- Responsible for developing Siemens Global Diversity Strategy as a means of leveraging the diversity, inclusion and engagement of our 350.000 employees in 190 countries as a business advantage.
- Strategically leveraged diversity and employee engagement in core business processes and change management, working closely with our business leaders.
- Served as Regional Diversity Adviser for Asia Pacific working closely with Regional CEO network.
- Expanded diversity-related employee networks by 70% to increase employee engagement globally
- Developed and managed Siemens Global Leadership of Women Network to increase representation of women in senior management as well as Siemens Diversity Ambassadors Network.
- Developed a sustainable and measurable diversity impact index
- Conducted regular assessments of workplace culture through surveys and focus groups, providing insights that informed policy adjustments and enhanced employee satisfaction.
- Designed a mentorship program connecting underrepresented employees with leaders, fostering professional development and retention of diverse talent within Siemens.
Program Director, Corporate Executive Leadership Development
Siemens AG
Munich
01.2009 - 06.2011
- Responsible for global leadership development and succession planning for global CEOs and corporate top talents.
- Global Strategy Lead for the redesign and global implementation (+350.000 employees worldwide) of the new Siemens Leadership Framework (SLF), a global framework for recruitment, development, performance management, succession planning powered by SuccessFactors.
- Trained 200 CEO's in behaviour based interviewing and assessment methodology
- Designed and implemented Top Talent 4 Growth- a program for high potentials a global succession planning methodology for Siemens corporate key functions.
- Designed and led the Top Talent 4 Growth program assessing and selecting exceptional talent from Siemens emerging market countries for a targeted development program in technology, science and leadership functions.
- Facilitated leadership development programs, promoted internal talent growth.
Executive Officer to the Deputy Executive Director
UNICEF
New York
08.2007 - 11.2008
- Manager and sparring partner to the Deputy Executive Director (DED) for Management overseeing and coordinating all operational divisions, including audit, HR and Finance.
- Managed the executive team and acted as interlocutor with Executive Board Members, Division Directors, inter agency partners, High Level Committee on Management, Chief Executives Board, donors and government representatives.
- Leading role in project management of UNICEF’s Key Improvement Initiatives; a large-scale change project to enhance organizational accountability and effectiveness.
- Streamlined all enabling functions reporting to the DED to collaborate and work better together gaining efficiency and reporting impact
- Conducted regular assessments of program impact through data analysis and stakeholder feedback, driving continuous improvement in service delivery strategies.
Head of HR Policy Unit & HR Legal Specialist
UNICEF
New York
08.2004 - 07.2007
- Headed HR Policy Unit, developing global HR strategy and policy as management advisor on strategic HR issues.
- Worked closely with HR Business Partners and managers at headquarters and the field, including Division Directors to provide guidance and advice on UN Staff Regulations and Rules and UNICEF policies.
- Developed, interpreted and drafted HR policy and procedures, monitoring their consistent application and working closely on the inter agency level to identify lessons learned and best practices.
- Provided legal and policy advice on global HR issues and staff conduct issues to Senior Management
- Facilitated integrity awareness training for UNICEF staff with focus on positive prevention and self-regulation.
- Successfully defended and represented UNICEF before Joint Appeals Board, UNAT and managed disciplinary cases
- Oversaw employee relations efforts, addressing concerns promptly to foster a positive workplace culture and maintain organizational integrity.
Head of Contracts Unit and Deputy Head of Procurement
International Criminal Tribunal for Former Yugoslavia
The Hague
05.2002 - 03.2003
- Responsible for securing and negotiating substantial and complex contracts with commercial vendors for HQ and field offices, including acquisition of goods and services, major contracts and leases.
- Provided legal advice on contracts and procurement issues.
- Conducted market research to identify potential suppliers and evaluate their capabilities, ensuring alignment with quality standards and cost-effectiveness.
- Acted as Chief of Procurement as necessary
- Developed and maintained supplier relationships to ensure reliable procurement of materials, negotiating contracts that aligned with organizational goals.
Special Assistant and Legal Officer to the Registrar of the ICTY
International Criminal Tribunal for Former Yugoslavia
The Hague
09.2000 - 04.2002
- Liaison/management advisor to the Registrar, responsible for all matters outside of the court proceedings including fundraising, multilateral and bilateral relations.
- Conducted several missions in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo for fact finding, witness interventions and judicial execution.
- Member of the Crisis Management Team for the transfer of Slobodan Milosevic to custody of ICTY.
- Facilitated communication between various departments to streamline collaboration on complex cases, enhancing overall operational efficiency.
- Coordinated scheduling for meetings, hearings, and court sessions, optimizing time management for legal staff and stakeholders.
- Provided logistical support for high-profile trials, coordinating with security teams and external agencies to ensure all operational needs were met effectively.
Associate Legal Officer
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR
Geneva
09.1999 - 08.2000
- Provided legal and HR policy advice to HQ and field offices on interpretation of UN Staff Regulations and Rules, Privileges and Immunities, including government negotiations.
- Managed misconduct and disciplinary cases
- Handled management evaluations, appeals and legally represented UNHCR in the UN Joint Appeals Board and appeared before the UN Administrative Tribunal
- Drafted and reviewed legal documents, including agreements and contracts, to support operational activities in various field locations.
Legal Intern to Trial Chamber 1
ICTY
Arusha
01.1998 - 08.1998
- Assistant to the three judges of Trial Chamber 1 of the Tribunal for the Genocide in Rwanda
- Member of the bilingual (French/English) team drafting the first genocide judgement in history (The Prosecutor v. Jean Paul Akayesu) based on the 1948 Genocide Convention with responsibility for defining sexual crimes under international criminal law
- Assisted in the preparation of legal documents, including briefs, memoranda, and reports, ensuring adherence to procedural requirements and deadlines and case preparations before trial .
- Participated in courtroom proceedings by preparing exhibits and supporting the judges during trials, ensuring smooth operations throughout the legal process.
Education
Women on Boards: Succeeding as a Corporate Director Program - Leadership and Board Governance
Harvard Business School
Boston, USA 12.2017 - 12.2017
Strategies for Leadership Program - Leadership development
IMD Business School
Lausanne, Switzerland 06.2017 - 07.2017
Transitional Leadership Program - Leadership development
INSEAD
Fontainebleau, France 02.2015 - 05.2015
Management Certificate - Change Management in Complex Organizations
Cornell University
New York, USA 11.2007 - 11.2028
Postgraduate Degree - International Criminal & Transitional Law
University of Cape Town
Cape Town, South Africa 01.1999 - 12.1999
Language Diploma - French Language and Civilization
Université de la Sorbonne
Paris, France 08.1998 - 12.1998
ERASMUS - International Law Programme
Maastricht University
Maastricht, The Netherlands 08.1996 - 06.1997
Jur. Kand - Master of Laws LL.M
Lund University, Law School
Lund, Sweden 01.1993 - 06.1998
Coaching qualification - Executive coaching
CTI International
Heidelberg, Germany 09.2010 - 05.2011
Skills
Workforce planning
Organisational leadership
Performance metrics creation
Benefits administration
Legal compliance knowledge
Compensation structure designing
Knowledge of employment laws
Corporate governance understanding
Talent acquisition
HR strategising
Succession planning knowledge
Diversity and inclusion awareness
Union negotiations
Employee relations handling
Languages
Swedish
Native
English
Fluent
German
Fluent
French
Advanced
Dutch
Upper intermediate
Accomplishments
Extra Curricular:
- Keynote Speaker: “Leadership in Volatile Times”, HR World Summit, Portugal, May 2024
- Podcast Speaker, Impactpool Insight Series Podcast, February 2024
- Closing Keynote Speaker at Workday Rising EMEA 2023, November 2023
- Keynote Speaker: “People, Partnership & Technology: HR Transformation @UNHCR”, UNLEASH Global HR Conference, Paris, France, October 2023
- Panelist: “The Power of Us: Leadership of the future” Geneva Graduate Institute and IMD event featuring Michael Watkins as keynote speaker. August 2022
- Podcast speaker: “HR & Leadership for a volatile future”” in “How HR Leaders Change the World Series” April 2022
- Speaker: "Hacking HR Global Conference: Innovation and the Future of Work", January 2021
- Speaker: HR Congress 2020 "Responding to the Changing World of Work – the Post-Lockdown Workplace". June 2020
- Keynote speaker: Devex Series: "Future of Work is Now”, April 2020
- Speaker: The HR Congress, Brussels: “Transforming organizations with purpose”, November 2018
- Video Faculty, Harvard Business Review: Harvard Manage Mentor Leadership Development Program: Delivered two key note sessions: “Finding Your Passion” & “Laying the Groundwork” June 2017
- Speaker: HCI Global Talent Management Conference: New York, USA: “Building a global workforce with purpose and humanitarian impact” November 2016
Key Note Panelist, Harvard Business Publishing Annual Meeting, Boston- “Leaders Role in Culture Transformation” June 2016
Timeline
Director of Human Resources
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR
12.2018 - 06.2025
Women on Boards: Succeeding as a Corporate Director Program - Leadership and Board Governance
Harvard Business School
12.2017 - 12.2017
Strategies for Leadership Program - Leadership development
IMD Business School
06.2017 - 07.2017
Deputy Director of Human Resources & Global Head of Talent Management
International Committee of the Red Cross, ICRC
03.2016 - 11.2018
Transitional Leadership Program - Leadership development
INSEAD
02.2015 - 05.2015
Head of Talent Development Unit
United Nations Development Program
05.2014 - 03.2016
Head of People Strategy
United Nations Development Programme, UNDP
07.2013 - 02.2014
Global Diversity Manager, Siemens Chief Diversity Office
Siemens AG
07.2011 - 06.2013
Coaching qualification - Executive coaching
CTI International
09.2010 - 05.2011
Program Director, Corporate Executive Leadership Development
Siemens AG
01.2009 - 06.2011
Management Certificate - Change Management in Complex Organizations
Cornell University
11.2007 - 11.2028
Executive Officer to the Deputy Executive Director
UNICEF
08.2007 - 11.2008
Head of HR Policy Unit & HR Legal Specialist
UNICEF
08.2004 - 07.2007
Head of Contracts Unit and Deputy Head of Procurement
International Criminal Tribunal for Former Yugoslavia
05.2002 - 03.2003
Special Assistant and Legal Officer to the Registrar of the ICTY
International Criminal Tribunal for Former Yugoslavia
09.2000 - 04.2002
Associate Legal Officer
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR
09.1999 - 08.2000
Postgraduate Degree - International Criminal & Transitional Law
University of Cape Town
01.1999 - 12.1999
Language Diploma - French Language and Civilization
Université de la Sorbonne
08.1998 - 12.1998
Legal Intern to Trial Chamber 1
ICTY
01.1998 - 08.1998
ERASMUS - International Law Programme
Maastricht University
08.1996 - 06.1997
Jur. Kand - Master of Laws LL.M
Lund University, Law School
01.1993 - 06.1998