Passion or Profession: Diplomat

Period: 1938–

Kofi Annan worked for and with the United Nations beginning in 1962. He served in a variety of UN positions and in 1997 became the UN secretary general. During his tenure as secretary general, Annan sought to promote human rights and the rule of law, led an effort to combat the HIV/AIDS pandemic, and addressed the controversial issue of UN reform. For the organization's work to create a better and more peaceful world, Annan and the United Nations were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2001. He stood down as secretary general at the end of his second-five year term in 2007.