GOODWEAVE International’s board of directors has selected Jon Jacoby as the organisation’s new chief executive. GoodWeave describes itself as the leading global nonprofit organisation working to end child, forced and bonded labor in global supply chains.
Jacoby replaces Nina Smith, GoodWeave’s founding ceo, who led the organisation for the past 24 years and announced earlier this year she’d be stepping down. Smith will continue working with GoodWeave in a strategic advisory capacity through 2023 to ensure a smooth leadership transition. Jacoby’s first day as the organisation’s ceo was 1 September.
Jacoby brings to GoodWeave significant expertise in responsible business, workers’ and human rights, and inclusive development, areas central to the organisation’s holistic approach to stopping child labour.
‘After an extensive selection process by the board, I’m very pleased to welcome Jon to GoodWeave. His deep commitment to the fundamental rights of workers combined with business engagement and fundraising experience enable him to lead the organisation into its new chapter,’ said Siddharth Kara, GoodWeave International’s board co-chair.
‘As we welcome a new leader, the entire GoodWeave board and I also extend our heartfelt gratitude to Nina for her exemplary and transformative leadership in steering the organisation for the past 24 years.’
‘I’ve long admired GoodWeave for its ground-breaking, grassroots-to-global work in the business and human rights realm,’ said Jacoby. ‘I’m honoured to be taking the helm at a time when the organisation is positioned for even more impact and growth in new sectors. I look forward to rolling up sleeves with our partners and stakeholders across business, philanthropy, government and civil society to ensure the rights of highly vulnerable children and informal workers in South Asia and around the world are protected and respected.
‘I’m deeply inspired to carry on the remarkable legacy of our founding ceo Nina Smith, and that of our founder and Nobel Peace Prize winner Kailash Satyarthi.’
Prior to joining GoodWeave, Jacoby led global grant-making at the Open Society Foundations (OSF) advancing human rights for vulnerable workers and communities in corporate supply chains. While at OSF, he co-founded Funders Organised for Rights in the Global Economy (FORGE) – a donor collaborative of nine private foundations that has mobilised $250m to advance the core rights of marginalised workers around the world. He also co-founded the Investor Alliance for Human Rights, which marshals over $12 trillion in investor influence to advance corporate human rights due diligence.
Previously, he managed US and global teams at Oxfam while co-leading the successful Behind the Brands campaign and index that advanced social and environmental sustainability at the world’s largest food and beverage companies, as well as led a confederation-wide policy review process as special advisor for private sector engagement to Oxfam International’s executive director.
Jacoby also served as associate director for International Economic Policy at the Center for American Progress, where he co-authored the report ‘Virtuous Circle’ on globalisation, international trade and core labour standards. He’s appeared on news outlets such as CNN, BBC, PBS and CNBC.
Jacoby holds a Master of Business Administration and Master of Arts in international affairs from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Arts in social studies from Harvard University.
www.goodweave.org
IMAGE: Jon Jacoby
