Susan Ringler Appointed Chair and Leanne Geale Vice Chair of the CEELI Institute’s Management Board

The CEELI Institute is delighted to announce the appointment of Susan Ringler as Chair and Leanne Geale as Vice Chair of the Institute’s Management Board. Their appointments were confirmed at the Board’s Annual Meeting in Prague in June 2025.

Both Susan and Leanne are long-standing members of the Management Board and valued leaders of the wider CEELI Institute community. Together, they bring extensive experience in international rule of law, legal leadership, institutional integrity, corporate governance, compliance, and organizational management.

Susan Ringler is a highly accomplished attorney and compliance executive with more than 25 years of experience across public sector, corporate, and nonprofit organizations. She has managed large international and multidisciplinary teams and has worked with prominent international organizations, including the World Bank, the United Nations, and the International Rescue Committee.

Susan brings deep expertise in international investigations, institutional integrity, governance, ethics, and risk management. Her long-standing involvement with CEELI, combined with her knowledge of the Institute’s history, mission, and international community, will be invaluable as she assumes the role of Chair.

Leanne Geale is Group General Counsel and a member of the Executive Board of Nestlé S.A. Originally from Canada, she previously held several senior legal leadership roles at Royal Dutch Shell plc before joining Nestlé in 2019.

Leanne also serves on the Board of Holcim Limited, where she is a member of the Health, Safety and Sustainability Committee and the Nomination, Compensation and Governance Committee. She is also Treasurer of the Swiss-American Chamber of Commerce.

Through these roles, Leanne has gained extensive experience guiding global organizations through evolving legal, regulatory, governance, and ethical environments. Her leadership reflects a strong commitment to responsible governance, legal innovation, corporate integrity, and sustainable business practices.

The Institute has benefited greatly from Susan’s and Leanne’s insight, dedication, and guidance over many years. In their new roles, they will work closely with fellow Board members and the Institute’s leadership to support Institute’s mission and help shape its future direction at a time when justice institutions and the rule of law continue to face significant challenges worldwide.

As Susan steps into the role of Chair, the Institute also extends its sincere thanks to Dr. Mark Ellis, the outgoing Chair, for his exceptional leadership over the past three years and for his continued service to the CEELI Institute.  Mark’s thoughtful and steady leadership has been instrumental in shaping the Institute’s direction and impact during this critical transitional period. His long association with the Institute and dedication to its founding vision have ensured the preservation of the Institute’s work, identity, and values.

The Institute also wants to thank Maryann Clifford for her invaluable service as a Vice Chair of the CEELI Institute Management Board over the past three years. Her years of dedication to development of the Institute have been truly remarkable, and fortunately they are not ending as she will be co-chairing our International Advisory Board starting in 2026.

The CEELI Institute warmly congratulates Susan Ringler and Leanne Geale on their appointments and looks forward to working with them in their new leadership roles.