World Justice Project’s Alejandro Ponce Named as the Next Executive Director

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World Justice Project’s Alejandro Ponce Named as the Next Executive Director

WASHINGTON (December 5, 2024) – The World Justice Project’s longtime chief research officer and co-creator of its flagship World Justice Project (WJP) Rule of Law Index®, Alejandro Ponce, will become the organization’s next executive leader, WJP announced today. 

In February, Ponce will assume the role held for the past six years by Elizabeth Andersen, who has been named the next executive director of the Basel Institute on Governance.  

A trained economist who previously worked at Yale University, the Mexican Banking and Securities Commission, and the World Bank, Ponce first joined an upstart WJP as a consultant in 2008. Initially tasked with helping WJP realize its ambitious goal of measuring the rule of law globally, Ponce became a key contributor to shaping the conceptual framework of the now world-renowned WJP Rule of Law Index. Ponce also led the design of the Index’s rigorous, survey-based measurement methodology, which has been cited in more than 1,900 academic papers and countless publications. 

“Alejandro Ponce is an innovator and global rule of law leader who has helped shape the World Justice Project into the influential global organization it is today,” said WJP Co-founder and President William H. Neukom. “His pioneering work has made it possible for policy makers, business leaders, academics, and citizens around the world to identify and bridge critical rule of law gaps as never before. The entire board of directors is thrilled that Alex has agreed to be WJP’s next executive director.” 

In 2024, WJP published the 15th edition of the Index and celebrated its 15th anniversary as an independent, multidisciplinary organization dedicated to advancing the rule of law worldwide. Today, Ponce’s former employer, the World Bank, is among the numerous international institutions, governments, ratings agencies, businesses, and civil society organizations that rely on annual Index data, which now evaluates rule of law adherence in over 140 countries and covers 95% of the world’s population. 

An innovator in creating actionable rule of law data and more

Ponce became WJP’s chief research officer in 2012 and has since developed numerous data products, including in-depth country and thematic diagnostics, legal need surveys in more than 100 countries, and the first study to measure the global justice gap, finding that 5.1 billion people lack solutions to legal problems. In 2016, Ponce led the launch of WJP’s Mexico office, overseeing criminal justice studies, prison surveys, the development of WJP’s first subnational index, and the production of documentary films.  Most recently, Ponce oversaw the creation of World Justice Project EUROVOICES, which was unveiled in Brussels last week.  

Funded by the European Union (EU), the interactive World Justice Project EUROVOICES website draws on surveys of 72,000 local people and legal experts in 110 subnational regions of all 27 EU countries to provide a uniquely comprehensive and granular picture of democratic governance, justice, and rule of law across the EU. 

For years, Ponce has been deeply involved with major WJP initiatives including its signature global rule of law conference, the World Justice Forum, and in building institutional support for research and data initiatives spanning environmental rule of law, people-centered justice, and government accountability.    

“Rule of law is under attack in many corners of the world, and it’s never been more important to marshal the energy and collaboration of dedicated citizens, public servants, and leaders in all sectors to push back,” Ponce said. “I’m humbled and honored to lead the World Justice Project at this critical moment.” 

A dual citizen of Mexico and the United States, Ponce holds a B.A. in economics from ITAM in Mexico, and a M.A. and Ph.D. in economics from Stanford University. Ponce is a frequent speaker on the rule of law in international conferences and policy forums and has participated in numerous expert groups. His research on behavioral economics, financial inclusion, justice indicators, and the rule of law has been published in collected volumes as well as academic journals such as the American Economic Review and the Journal of Law and Economics.  

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About the World Justice Project 

The World Justice Project (WJP) is an independent, nonpartisan, multidisciplinary organization working to create knowledge, build awareness, and stimulate action to advance the rule of law worldwide. Effective rule of law reduces corruption, combats poverty and disease, and protects people from injustices large and small. It underpins development, accountable government, and respect for fundamental rights, and it is the foundation for communities of justice, health, opportunity, and peace. The World Justice Project defines the rule of law as a durable system of laws, institutions, norms, and community commitment that delivers: accountability, just laws, open government, and accessible justice. Learn more at worldjusticeproject.org.