IOE Global Business Network Elects its First African Female President

The International Organisation of Employers (IOE) unanimously elected new leadership including its first African female president.

IOE member organisations have made history by electing Jacqueline Mugo as their new President for a three-year term. This landmark appointment marks the first time a female African leader takes the reins of the global employer movement in its more than a century of existence. Ms Mugo, a seasoned professional, is currently the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE) and the Secretary-General of BUSINESS Africa Employers Confederation. Her extensive experience includes serving as a Titular member of the Governing Body of the ILO and, formerly, as the IOE Vice-President for Africa.

Ms Mugo is an accomplished transformational business leader and professional with decades of experience gained from her work in the public and private sectors. She held senior-level positions in the judiciary, various multinational enterprises, fast-moving consumer goods companies, and the aviation sector.

Jacqueline Mugo takes over from Michele Parmelee, who led the organisation from 2021-2024. During her tenure, Ms Parmelee played a pivotal role in significantly advancing IOE's gender and just transition policy agenda, leaving a strong foundation for the new leadership to build upon.

The General Council also elected six Vice-Presidents for the new term: Renate Hornung-Draus (Germany) as IOE Vice-President to the ILO; Alexandre Furlan (Brazil) as IOE Vice-President for Latin America; Sonya Janahi (Bahrain) as IOE Vice-President for the Asia-Pacific; Blaise Matthey (Switzerland) as IOE Vice-President for Europe & Central Asia; Hicham Zouanat (Morocco) as IOE Vice-President for Africa; and Thomas Mackall (USA) as IOE Vice-President for North America.