American Kate Forbes is the new president of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). She leads the world’s largest humanitarian organization, supporting local Red Cross and Red Crescent societies in more than 192 countries. Here Forbes makes a stop at the Egyptian Red Crescent as as part of her visit to countries and National Societies in the Middle East Northern Africa (MENA) region, including Lebanon, Egypt, Palestine and Israel. Photo by Palestine Red Crescent Society / IFRC.
On International Women’s Day, the American Red Cross features the new president of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) ─ Kate Forbes. Starting more than 40 years ago as an American Red Cross volunteer at her local chapter in Phoenix, Arizona, she now leads the world’s largest humanitarian organization, supporting local Red Cross and Red Crescent societies in more than 192 countries.
As IFRC’s new president, a volunteer position, Forbes faces today’s most complex humanitarian crises, from the climate crisis to migration, disease outbreaks, natural disasters, the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, and more.
PASSION FOR THE WORK In a recent interview, Forbes was asked how to best handle today’s compound, challenging issues. She spoke of the importance of having a passion for the work of the IFRC and its national societies, as well as a passion for the people served.
Recently she attended the Antalya Diplomacy Forum held in the Republic of Türkiye. Heads of states and governments, ministers, diplomats, business leaders, academics, think-tankers, and youth and media representatives gathered under the theme “Advancing Diplomacy in Times of Turmoil” to reflect on and search for a peaceful way out of the turbulent period our world is going through.
Forbes was part of a panel on food insecurity and spoke about the work the IFRC is doing to address these critical needs. “I argued that we urgently need to come together to find bold political solutions to help food-insecure people around the world,” she posted on X. “More efforts must be made to support long-term food security, livelihoods and resilience.”
She also met with Türkiye’s First Lady Emine Erdogan and they discussed the Israel-Gaza Conflict. Forbes stated the IFRC will work with the Turkish Red Crescent, an important partner, to deliver aid to the region when a ceasefire is established.
ONLY SECOND WOMAN TO HOLD THE OFFICE Kate Forbes’ election is a historic moment, making her only the second woman to hold the prestigious position of IFRC president. This underscores the global Red Cross and Red Crescent’s continued commitment to diversity and gender equality in its leadership.
Regarding women in leadership roles, Forbes believes women are challenged. “You’re here, now you have to perform,” Forbes commented. She continued that more and more women are taking on leadership duties, that the situation has improved greatly in the last several years.
You can see her entire interview here.
After her start at the American Red Cross chapter in Phoenix, Arizona, Forbes moved into regional and national level roles. She served as the vice chairman of the national Red Cross Board of Governors and national chairman of volunteers. In those roles, she mobilized more than a million volunteers to deliver assistance, connect with local communities and provide training. An auditor by training, Kate Forbes has been a member of the IFRC board since 2018 where she served as the chairman of the IFRC Audit and Risk Commission, increasing transparency and accountability to deliver lifesaving assistance efficiently around the world.
IFRC AND THE AMERICAN RED CROSS The IFRC was founded in 1919 in Paris after World War I and supports local Red Cross and Red Crescent societies in more than 192 countries. The IFRC acts before, during and after disasters and health emergencies to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people.
Nearly every independent country in the world has a Red Cross or Red Crescent society and the American Red Cross is one of them. Each National Society carries out its mission in different ways -- from responding to home fires and hurricanes to conflict, traffic accidents and loneliness. These organizations are chartered by their respective governments and, together, they assist one in 65 people in the world each year.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
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