Presidency of the Council

The Presidency of the Council is the highest annual ceremonial office within the Council of Global Change.

Appointed for a one-year term, the President is entrusted with presiding over the Council’s high-level sessions, guiding the deliberative agenda, and serving as a principal representative of the Council’s mission on the global stage.

Symbolic Leadership, Strategic Impact

While the Secretary-General serves as the permanent executive authority and strategic head of the Council, the President embodies the collective voice of the Council’s leadership for the duration of their mandate. This role is conferred upon a figure of exceptional standing whose life and work reflect the Council’s values of visionary leadership, cultural diplomacy, and systemic transformation.

Each Presidency marks a unique chapter in the Council’s institutional memory, advancing multilateral cooperation across continents and sectors. The office is both symbolic and strategic, elevating global priorities through high-level dialogue, international visibility, and unified representation.

President of the Council – 2025

H.E. Consuelo Vanderbilt

Philanthropist, Entrepreneur & Cultural Ambassador

Consuelo Vanderbilt serves as the 2025 President of the Council of Global Change. Descended from one of the most storied legacies in transatlantic history, Ms. Vanderbilt brings a singular blend of heritage, diplomacy, and philanthropic leadership to the global table.

Her Presidency reflects a commitment to intergenerational transformation, elegant diplomacy, and the cultural dimension of systemic change. As President, she represents the Council in its highest forums and presides over its institutional sessions throughout the year.

The CGC

International organization advancing cooperation between governments, institutions & leaders