Irene Bain heads the learning and evaluation function at the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and co-developed its first Learning and Evaluation Policy (2021). Before joining AIIB in 2017, Irene worked in the Beijing Resident Missions of the Asian Development Bank, as a social sector specialist, and the Ford Foundation, as an environment and development program officer.
Irene began living and working in China in 1990, initially helping build the local field offices and rural poverty reduction programs of two international NGOs. Thereafter, Irene participated in the design, implementation and review of multilateral, bilateral and NGO-supported projects.
Irene holds a PhD. in Human Geography and a bachelor’s degree (Hons.) in East Asian Studies and Human Geography from the Australian National University, where she remains an honorary senior lecturer.
