The current President of the World Bank Jim Yong Kim, the bank’s first leader of color, just announced last week that he will be stepping down in a somewhat surprising move after six years on February 1st.

As president of the World Bank, he has led efforts to end extreme poverty, to address infrastructure needs, and to prevent pandemics, among other issues. The World Bank is an ultra important source of assistance to reduce poverty and support development, and the leader of it is a guiding force that ensures the success of its ventures.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF), a sort of sister institution to the World Bank, appointed its first female head in 2011. More and more, women are being elected to positions of power and/or leaders are committing to gender-balanced staffs. A female leader is a glass ceiling the World Bank still needs to shatter.

Research correlates women’s leadership with higher performance and stronger decision making. It also suggests ‘the more women the better,’ and that women in power push far more policies that promote social welfare - which is the entire mission of the World Bank.

World Bank CEO Kristalina Georgieva will be stepping in as interim president. She would — among many other strong women candidates  — be incredible assets to the organization.

It’s time for a female head of the World Bank. Sign and share if you agree.