Farley and Wolstencroft elected to IRC board

Katherine Farley, Tishman Speyer

NEW YORK, NY According to the International Rescue Committee (IRC) Katherine Farley and Tracy Wolstencroft have been elected as co-chairs of the board of directors. Farley and Wolstencroft succeed Sarah O’Hagan and Tom Schick as board co-chairs.

“Katherine Farley and Tracy Wolstencroft bring strong values, global perspectives and New York energy to the IRC,” said David Miliband, IRC president and CEO. “We are thrilled to have their commitment at a time of global crisis, as well as their tremendous knowledge from and experience in the private sector.

“IRC has been lucky for the last six years to have been led by Tom Schick and Sarah O’Hagan, who have taken IRC’s work, profile and impact to a new level. I look forward to working with the new leadership team to bring compassion and intelligence to the drive to help some of the most vulnerable people in the world,” said Miliband.

IRC responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC works in over 40 countries and 26 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities.

Farley is a senior managing director at real estate company Tishman Speyer, where she is responsible for the Brazil and China business and oversees Global Corporate Marketing. Farley served on the Board Trustees from 1998-2009, during which time she was a member of the executive committee, before joining the Board of Overseers from 2009 to 2015. Farley is currently the chairman of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and a trustee of Rockefeller University and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. She has also previously served as a trustee of Brown University.

“I am honored to continue serving the IRC in support of their work to help rebuild the lives of millions of refugees from across the Middle East, Europe and the United States,” said Farley. “The world needs the IRC today more than ever before.”

Wolstencroft is president and CEO of the global executive search firm, Heidrick & Struggles. Previously he was a longstanding partner at Goldman Sachs where, over the course of a 25-year career, he led a wide range of businesses in the United States, Asia and Latin America. Wolstencroft has served on the IRC board since 2008, during which time he has chaired the Finance Committee. Wolstencroft also serves on other prominent boards including the Brookings Institution and the National Geographic Society.

“I look forward to co-chairing the IRC’s board to further our mission to aid the 60 million men, women and children around the world who are displaced due to humanitarian crises,” said Mr. Wolstencroft. “The IRC’s work is critical to ensuring that the world’s most vulnerable are provided with the resources they need to build better futures for themselves and their families.”

The International Rescue Committee helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future. IRC teams provide health care, infrastructure, learning and economic support to people in over 40 countries, with special programs designed for women and children. Every year, the IRC resettles thousands of refugees in 26 U.S. cities. Learn more at Rescue.org and follow the IRC on Facebook & Twitter.