Anti-child, forced and bonded labour organisation GoodWeave has a new ceo.
Jon Jacoby has taken over from founding ceo Nina Smith, who had led it for the past 24 years. She will continue as an advisor for the rest of the year to see the transition completed.
Jacoby brings to GoodWeave significant expertise in responsible business, workers’ and human rights, and inclusive development, all areas central to the organisation’s approach to stopping child labour.
He previously led global grant-making at the Open Society Foundations, advancing human rights for vulnerable workers and communities in corporate supply chains. While at OSF, he co-founded Funders Organized for Rights in the Global Economy: a donor collaborative of nine private foundations that has mobilised $250m to advance the core rights of marginalised workers. He also co-founded the Investor Alliance for Human Rights, which marshals over $12tn 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 that advanced social and environmental sustainability at the world’s largest food and drink companies, as well as being a 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 Virtuous Circle report on globalisation, international trade and core labour standards.
‘I have long admired GoodWeave for its ground-breaking, grassroots-to-global work within the business and human rights realm,’ says Jacoby. ‘I am 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 am 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.’
‘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,’ says Siddharth Kara, GoodWeave International co-chair. ‘As we welcome a new leader, the 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.’
