The International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), has announced its first ever female-majority board.
The approval of eight board members, including five women, occurred at IFAC’s annual council meeting in Vancouver.
New IFAC Board members and their nominating member organizations are:
- Caroline Gardner, Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy
- Yeong Kyun Ahn, Korean Institute of Certified Public Accountants
- Joan Curry, Chartered Accountants Ireland
- Winnie Nyamute, Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya
- Fiona Wilkinson, Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies
- Ismaila Zakari, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria
Returning members re-appointed for a second term of service to IFAC’s board are:
- Tommye Barie, Association of International Certified Professional Accountants
- Idésio da Silva Coelho, Jr., Instituto dos Auditores Independentes do Brasil and Conselho Federal de Contabilidade
Over the course of the past decade, IFAC said it has “committed” to improve gender balance on its board and committees, and added through “dedicated and ongoing” outreach to attract a diverse slate of candidates, with a particular focus on gender diversity, 12 of IFAC’s 23-member board are now women.
Dr. In-Ki Joo, IFAC president, said: “On behalf of IFAC, I congratulate and welcome all of our new and returning board members. Each of these individuals was nominated and approved on the basis of their leadership qualities, business acumen, and passion for the future of our profession.
“We are particularly pleased that, as a result of our deliberate focus on gender diversity, the majority of these well-qualified board members are women. I am equally pleased to congratulate the newest members of the IFAC organization.
He added: “Joining IFAC demonstrates a serious commitment to the advancement of our profession, and should be recognised and applauded as a significant milestone on the path of continuous growth and improvement.”