Berge Brende

Berge Brende is a Norwegian politician and business executive who served as the President and CEO of the World Economic Forum (WEF) from 2017 until his recent resignation. His leadership at the WEF involved overseeing the organization’s initiatives and annual meetings in Davos, focusing on global economic issues, sustainability, and international cooperation. Brende has a background in politics, having held various ministerial positions in Norway, including Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Trade and Industry. He stepped down from his role at the WEF amid scrutiny over his connections to Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender, following revelations of their interactions, including business dinners and communications.