Under Secretary General, Legal, Governance Support and Accountability
Lucie Laplante has 25 years of cross-sector experience in accountability, risk management, compliance and innovative legal strategies in global humanitarian contexts, championing strong governance and ethical stewardship. She joined the IFRC in 2010 as Senior Legal Advisor, rising to General Counsel in 2015, leading the Legal Department and Data Protection Office for a decade. In that role she advised on strategic risks, partnerships, policy frameworks and multi-million-dollar transactions, shaped innovative financing instruments, spearheaded digital transformation, established the Data Protection Office and modernized IFRC governance.
Previously, Lucie served as Justice Advisor for the German Government in Sierra Leone, coordinated Rule of Law initiatives with the UN in Côte d’Ivoire, and supported legal reforms in Chile and Bolivia with Canadian funding. In private practice, she advised multinationals on corporate and investment law in Mexico City and other clients in Canada. A lawyer by training (Quebec and New York State Bars), Lucie excels at leading diverse teams and navigating complex governance and legal environments. She mentors emerging lawyers, champions female leadership, and speaks at global events.