President of the IFRC
Ms. Kate Forbes comes with over four decades of experience with the International Movement of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, beginning her journey as a volunteer at her local American Red Cross chapter in Phoenix, Arizona. She served as the chairman of the local board of directors, regional chapter services board chair and then national chair of chapter services. In 2000, she assumed the role of Vice-Chairman of the American Red Cross Board of Governors and then the National Chairman of Volunteers. In these roles, she mobilized more than a million volunteers to deliver assistance, connect with local communities and provide training in their local communities.
An auditor by training, Ms. Forbes has been a member of the IFRC Board for the past 17 years. She most recently served as Chairperson of the IFRC Audit and Risk Commission. In this role, she increased transparency, implemented stronger financial controls and established safeguarding policies across the organization. Ms. Forbes was elected as President of the IFRC in December 2023.