ifaw’s Azzedine Downes named to prestigious Forbes Nonprofit Council

(WASHINGTON D.C.—September 9, 2022) Azzedine Downes, President & CEO of IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare) since 2012, has been accepted into the Forbes Nonprofit Council, the foremost growth and networking organization for successful business owners and leaders worldwide.

Downes was vetted and selected by a review committee based on the depth and diversity of his experience, including leading IFAW through a groundbreaking period of geographic expansion and strategic consolidation since joining the organization in 1997. Criteria for acceptance included a track record of successfully impacting business growth metrics as well as personal and professional achievements and honors.

"I have always believed that talking to people who already agree with the mission of IFAW isn’t enough to get real results,” Downes said. “I look forward to joining the prestigious Forbes Council and sharing my experiences and perspective on the many complex challenges our organization encounters in our global effort to help both animals and people thrive together. It is essential to collaborate and learn across industries if we are to make progress addressing the critical issues of an increasingly intricate world.”

As a member of the Council, Downes will share his expert insights in original articles on Forbes.com and contribute to published Q&A panels alongside other noted experts.

In 2015, Downes was named as one of Fast Company’s Most Creative People in Business. The following year, The NonProfit Times included Downes on its Top 50 Power and Influence list. He is a member of the Global Tiger Forum Advisory Council, and he currently sits on the U.S. Trade and Environmental Policy Advisory Committee.

About IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare)
IFAW is a global non-profit helping animals and people thrive together. We are experts and everyday people, working across seas, oceans and in more than 40 countries around the world. We rescue, rehabilitate and release animals, and we restore and protect their natural habitats. The problems we’re up against are urgent and complicated. To solve them, we match fresh thinking with bold action. We partner with local communities, governments, non-governmental organizations and businesses. Together, we pioneer new and innovative ways to help all species flourish. See how at ifaw.org

About Forbes Councils
Forbes Councils is a collective of invitation-only communities created in partnership with Forbes and the expert community builders who founded Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC). In Forbes Councils, exceptional business owners and leaders come together with the people and resources that can help them thrive.

To learn more about Forbes Councils, visit forbescouncils.com.