Mayors Migration Council Strengthens Governance to Amplify Mayoral Leadership on the Global Stage
Inaugural co-chairs of new governing board named to support the vision of global mayors and steer the MMC through its next phase of growth amid rising urban migration and displacement.
NEW YORK— As cities worldwide face unprecedented migration and displacement fueled by political instability, economic pressures, and climate change, the Mayors Migration Council (MMC) is doubling down on its mission to empower mayors to shape global policy and mobilize resources for local solutions—a mission that has never been more urgent.
Today, the MMC announced the launch of its inaugural Governing Board, a pivotal milestone in its evolution from a startup initiative to a global leader in migration policy and practice. This shift from a donor-led governance structure to a diverse, representative body of leaders and experts is designed to equip the MMC and its mayors with the strategic and operational excellence needed to address the pressing migration challenges and opportunities of our time.
This milestone comes at a critical juncture as the global migration landscape grows increasingly urgent and politically polarized. Cities at every stage—origin, transit, destination, and return—are grappling with insufficient resources and restrictive national policies, all while divisive populist narratives exacerbate political gridlock. The MMC believes the solutions to these challenges lie in unlocking the leadership of mayors, who are uniquely positioned to turn migration into a driver of economic, social, and political opportunity.
The new Governing Board will work in close collaboration with the MMC’s Leadership Board of mayors, who remain at the heart of the organization with a mandate to ensure its mission continues to reflect and respond to the evolving needs of cities. Members of the Leadership Board include:
- Yousef Al Shawarbeh, Mayor of Amman, Jordan
- Carlos Galán, Mayor of Bogotá, Colombia
- Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, Mayor of Freetown, Sierra Leone
- Erias Lukwago, Lord Mayor of Kampala, Uganda
- Maimunah Mohd Sharif, Mayor of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Giuseppe Sala, Mayor of Milan, Italy
- Valérie Plante, Mayor of Montréal, Canada
- Ron Nirenberg, Mayor of San Antonio, United States
- Corine Mauch, Mayor of Zürich, Switzerland
This complementary partnership will ensure the MMC’s work remains deeply grounded in the realities of urban life while advancing bold, city-led impact on the global stage. By strengthening governance and operational capacity, the Governing Board will strengthen the MMC’s systems and ensure the organization’s long-term sustainability as it enters its next phase of growth.
“Our Leadership Board of mayors ensures that our work remains deeply rooted in the realities of cities and the needs of their residents,” said Valérie Plante, Mayor of Montréal, Canada, and Founding Member of the MMC Leadership Board. “The new Governing Board brings the expertise and structure needed to transform our mayors’ bold vision into meaningful and lasting impact. Together, these two bodies will make the MMC stronger, more agile, and better equipped to meet the evolving needs of cities in the decade ahead.”
Meet the Inaugural Members
The MMC’s inaugural Governing Board is led by an Executive Committee of three Co-Chairs, selected from nearly 50 candidates spanning 20 countries and multiple sectors. These leaders will guide the launch of the MMC’s 2025–2030 Business Plan and recruit additional Governing Board members to enhance the organization’s reach and effectiveness.
Marvin Rees, Chair for Engagement and Public Affairs
Former Mayor of Bristol, UK, and a founding MMC member, Rees brings firsthand experience in city government, with a proven track record of advancing impactful initiatives for marginalized local communities while championing international diplomacy on global issues like migration, climate, and finance. He will focus on strengthening relationships with mayors, partners, and stakeholders while overseeing communications and political risk management.
“As a former mayor, I’ve seen the transformative power of cities coming together to learn from one other, stand in solidarity, and raise global ambitions together,” Rees said. “As a Governing Board member, I’ll ensure the MMC remains connected to city realities and amplifies mayors’ leadership on the international stage.”
Cecilia Vaca Jones, Chair for Strategy and Business Development
Vaca Jones brings decades of experience as an accomplished leader in social justice, migration policy, and philanthropy. As Ecuador’s Coordinating Minister of Social Development, Executive Director of the Bernard van Leer Foundation, and now senior advisor to Abu Dhabi’s Early Childhood Authority, she has championed initiatives that put children, youth, women, indigenous communities, and urban migrants and refugees at the center of social policy and programs. In her role, she will oversee strategic planning, business development, and program development.
“Migration is not a challenge to be solved—it’s an opportunity to build stronger, more inclusive cities,” Vaca Jones said. “This Governing Board will position the MMC to lead with vision, innovate with confidence, and deliver meaningful impact through true partnership.”
Ingrid Rasmussen, Chair for Governance and Operations
A seasoned leader in nonprofit finance and organizational development, Rasmussen brings extensive expertise in steering organizations through financial growth and operational transformation. Currently CFO and Treasurer at the Wallace Foundation, she has also held leadership roles at Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors and Unbound Philanthropy and serves on the board of the International Refugee Assistance Project. In her role, she will focus on governance, compliance, and financial sustainability.
“Strong governance, transparent operations, and financial resilience are the foundation of impactful organizations,” Rasmussen said. “As the MMC transitions beyond its startup phase, this Governing Board will ensure our operations remain grounded in excellence, enabling mayors to continue driving meaningful change in their communities.”
For interview requests with any of the Governing Board members or the MMC Executive Director, or for additional information, please contact Cynthia Nahhas at cnahhas@mayorsmigrationcouncil.org.
Impact Powered by Partnerships
As part of this governance transition, the MMC’s donor-led board—composed of the Robert Bosch Stiftung and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation—will evolve into an advisory group. These founding partners, instrumental in launching the MMC, will continue to provide critical guidance, partnership, and strategic alignment with other institutional funders.
“We applaud this leadership transition and remain committed to supporting the MMC’s vision,” said Raphaela Schweiger, Director of the Migration and Immigration Society Programs at the Robert Bosch Stiftung.“With this new governance model, the MMC is poised to deliver even greater results for migrant and refugee communities, while creating a fresh opportunity for funders to test bold, city-led approaches that can shape the future of migration policy. We call on others to join us in supporting this important and impactful movement.”
Looking Ahead
The Governing Board’s Executive Committee will focus on supporting the launch of the MMC’s 2025–2030 Business Plan—a strategic blueprint designed to address high-need, high-impact mayoral priorities intersecting with migration, including climate, economy, housing, and health.
Simultaneously, the Executive Committee will focus on expanding the Governing Board by recruiting additional members, ensuring diversity in regional representation, sectoral expertise, and lived experiences. By 2026, the MMC envisions a Governing Board of five to eleven members, reflecting a balance of perspectives to guide its work effectively. Board membership offers leaders, practitioners, and innovators an opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping one of the world’s foremost city-led alliances on migration and displacement. Interested candidates can learn more and submit an expression of interest here.
Background
About the Mayors Migration Council
The Mayors Migration Council (MMC) is a mayor-led coalition that accelerates ambitious global action on migration and displacement, creating a world where urban migrants, displaced people, and local communities can thrive. To achieve our mission, we provide mayors with advocacy, coordination, and communications support to influence policy decisions at national and international levels. We also connect city governments to the knowledge, technical, and financial resources they need to advance and scale local solutions.
Since its founding, the MMC has grown from 10 founding mayors to nearly 300 city leaders worldwide, driving policy change and mobilizing millions of dollars through initiatives like the Global Cities Fund for Migrants and Refugees.
To learn more, visit www.mayorsmigrationcouncil.org or follow us on X, LinkedIn, and Facebook.
Biographies
Marvin Rees, Chair for Engagement and Public Affairs:
Marvin Rees served as Mayor of Bristol from 2016 to 2024, becoming the first directly elected mayor of African-Caribbean descent in a major European city. Raised by a white single mother in 1970s Britain, Rees faced the challenges of growing up mixed-race in a society rife with racial and economic inequality. His personal experiences fuelled his commitment to social justice and poverty alleviation.
Before entering politics, Rees worked with Tearfund, the BBC, and the National Health Service, where he focused on reducing health disparities. His involvement with Operation Black Vote played a pivotal role in his journey, equipping him to navigate and challenge systemic barriers.
As Mayor, Rees prioritized urbanization, climate action, and social mobility, earning recognition for his leadership. He chaired the Local Government Association’s City Regions Board and Core Cities UK, and worked with the Mayor’s Migration Council to address global migration challenges.
Rees’s contributions have been honoured with an Honorary Professorship and Honorary Doctorate from the University of Bristol, and a Fellowship with the Overseas Development Institute (ODI). His leadership continues to inspire efforts towards creating fairer, more inclusive cities.
Cecilia Vaca Jones, Chair for Strategy and Business Development:
Cecilia Vaca Jones is a visionary leader with over two decades of experience shaping social policies and programs that improve lives across the globe to create lasting impact. Currently serving as Senior Advisor to Abu Dhabi’s Early Childhood Authority, she designs forward-thinking strategies to support children and families.
As Ecuador’s Coordinating Minister of Social Development (2013–2016), she not only championed transformative initiatives for children, youth, women, and indigenous communities but also developed innovative policies and a legal framework to support human mobility.
Her passion for creating opportunities for the most vulnerable extended to her role as Executive Director of the Bernard van Leer Foundation (2016–2022), where she supported the creation of the Moving Minds Alliance and led efforts to address the needs of young children and families affected by migration and displacement.
Armed with advanced degrees from the London School of Economics and the University of Bologna, Cecilia is fluent in four languages and brings a global perspective to every challenge she tackles.
Beyond her professional achievements, Cecilia is an adventurer at heart—scaling the highest peaks in the Americas and Europe, competing in marathons, Ironman 70.3 races, and founding a women’s cycling club. Her commitment to community runs deep, with over 20 years of volunteer work supporting rural development in Ecuador.
Ingrid Rasmussen, Chair for Governance and Operations:
Ingrid is the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer at the Wallace Foundation. She is responsible for overseeing the finance, accounting, grants management, IT, and operations of the foundation. Prior to Wallace, Rasmussen was Chief Financial Officer at Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, where she oversaw all finance, accounting, grants management, and related functions. At RPA, her team managed $350 million annually in grantmaking and supported approximately 120 sponsored projects and funds in a range of nonprofit issue areas.
Before joining RPA, Rasmussen was Chief Operating Officer at Unbound Philanthropy, a private foundation where she oversaw the finance, accounting, IT, human resources, operations, and grants management functions; vice president, finance and operations/CFO of the Heron Foundation; director of financial planning and analysis at Helmsley Charitable Trust; and vice president of finance/controller at Nonprofit Finance Fund. In her free time, Rasmussen is just as passionate about nonprofit finance and operations. She serves as chair of the finance committee of the International Refugee Assistance Project, and is a member of the finance committee of Philanthropy New York. She previously served on the boards of New Community Corporation, Hot Bread Kitchen, Bronx House, and Stevens Cooperative School, where she was Board Chair. Rasmussen earned a master’s degree in international development from American University and a bachelor’s degree in international relations from Tufts University.
A Note on Governance
The MMC operates as a sponsored project of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors (RPA), a 501(c)(3) public charity. Fiduciary, legal, and governance responsibilities rest with RPA’s Board of Directors. The Leadership Board of Mayors and the Governing Board serve in an advisory capacity only, advising the MMC’s strategy and operations without assuming fiduciary authority.
