News/Reports
GFI WELCOMES NEW BOARD MEMBERS
SANDY NATHAN AND SHARON WAXMAN
SANDY NATHAN AND SHARON WAXMAN
Sharon Waxman is former CEO of the Fair Labor Association join GFI Board
The Global Fairness Initiative (GFI) is pleased to welcome philanthropy and non-profit trailblazer Sandy Nathan, and former President of the Fair Labor Association (FLA) and longtime worker advocate Sharon Waxman to the GFI Board Directors. Sharon and Sandy have spent their careers empowering workers and building systems that reduce vulnerability and strengthen human rights. GFI’s newest Directors join an exceptional group of peers representing government, civil society, labor, and private industry on the GFI Board.
"It is my honor to welcome Sandy and Sharon to the GFI Board,” said HE Kabine Komara, former Prime Minister of Guinea and GFI Board Chair. “They have both contributed so much to improving the living and working livelihoods for working people and I look forward working alongside them to help strengthen GFI’s mission to create a more just, sustainable future for workers everywhere.”
Ms. Nathan is a Managing Director at Humanity United, a leading US Foundation working on issues of peace, freedom and human rights globally. She has extensive experience in international and community-focused philanthropy, and has led multiple foundations, non-profits and public sector initiatives throughout the United States. Ms. Waxman has provided leadership for some of the most important worker protection organizations in the world, including the FLA, the US State Department‘s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and the International Rescue Committee (IRC). Throughout her career she has innovated programs and practices that have been widely adopted by public and private sector actors to ensure worker livelihoods are decent, safe and secure. “Sharon and Sandy have been champions of economic justice and worker empowerment throughout their careers and they have lived the values we strive for at GFI.” said Global Fairness Initiative Founder and President Karen Tramontano. “They understand who we are and what we do, and we are thrilled to have them join the exceptional group of leaders on the GFI Board.”
The Global Fairness Initiative is an international NGO that works to create a more equitable, sustainable approach to economic development, and to make our global economy work for those who need it most − the world’s working poor. For nearly twenty year GFI has steadily built a track record of success through innovative programs to reduce poverty, enfranchise informal communities, and advance human rights and livelihoods around the world.
Sandy Nathan (United States)
Sandy Nathan is the Managing Director, Operations at Humanity United (HU). Sandy leads the operations teams across the organization and helps ensure that leadership, infrastructure, policies, and culture are aligned with HU’s values. Prior to HU, she has served as CEO for Apodictic Consultants, providing strategic consulting to philanthropy, nonprofits and government. She was also the Executive Director for the Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice in NYC and the Executive Director of Philanthropy Southwest, the oldest philanthropy serving organization in the country, with member foundations from over six states. Sandy has provided transitional and strategic leadership that enables organizations to successfully prepare for their next level of growth and reinvention. Prior to this, Sandy lead several community foundations including the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona in Tucson where she was chief strategist for grantmaking and community investment and oversaw the CFSA’s partner network, including the African American Initiative, the Alliance (LGBTQ) Fund, and the Latino Giving Circle. She served in a similar at the Marin Community Foundation and was CEO of the Richmond Children’s Foundation, where she oversaw place-based initiatives, and led the organization through a process of conversion to a community foundation. Sandy has a bachelor of arts in sociology from the University of San Diego, a master of arts in public administration from National University, and a doctor of philosophy in theology and Christian education. She also holds a certificate in nonprofit management from the Harvard Business School.
Sharon Waxman (United States)
Sharon Waxman was President and CEO of the Fair Labor Association (FLA) from 2016 to 2024 where she oversaw development of award-winning living wage tools, expanded human rights due diligence programs, and increased the presence of the FLA to 13 countries on five continents with over 200 member organizations. Prior to the FLA Sharon served as VP for Public Policy and Advocacy at the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and led a global team working on human rights issues affecting displaced persons globally. She also served as Deputy to the Undersecretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Rights and oversaw five Bureaus and two Ambassadorial offices, including the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, and the Office to Combat Trafficking in Persons. For more than a decade, Sharon served as Senior National Security Advisor to U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA). Earlier in her career in the Congress she was Associate Staff to the Senate Appropriations Committee and developed funding strategies for development and foreign assistance programs. Sharon has served on the Board of the US Global Leadership Coalition, the Nespresso Sustainability Advisory Board, and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Sharon received her Masters of International Public Policy from the Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies and her B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley. .
GFI WELCOMES NEW BOARD MEMBERS
KRISTIINA HELENIUS AND ROSE OMAMO
KRISTIINA HELENIUS AND ROSE OMAMO
Kristiina Helenius, former Finnish Journalist and CEO of the International Sanctions and Export Control Society, and “Mama Union” Rose Omamo, General Secretary of the Amalgamated Union of Kenya Metal Workers join GFI Board
The Global Fairness Initiative (GFI) is pleased to welcome former Finnish journalist and social influencer Kristiina Helenius, and Kenya's "Mama Union" Rose Omamo have joined the GFI Board of Directors. Rose and Kristiina bring extensive experience in international relations and social activism to GFI’s exceptional Board of Directors representing government, civil society, labor, and private industry from throughout the globe.
"We are so fortunate to have Rose and Kristiina as part of the leadership of this excellent organization, "said HE Kabine Komara, former Prime Minister of Guinea and GFI Board Chair. “Together they bring deep experience and their own unique perspective on the humanitarian and social justice issues at the center of GFI's work. We are honored to have them as part of this distinguished Board.”
Ms. Helenius, is a former journalist and social influencer, having served as a foreign correspondent in Munich, Seoul, Paris, and Brussels, for Finland's leading publications. She currently serves as CEO of the International Sanctions and Export Control Society, based in Washington, D.C. Ms. Omamo is a former mechanic who now serves as General Secretary of the Amalgamated Union of Kenya Metal Workers (AUKMW) and also was the National Chair of the Central Organization of Trade Unions. Kristiina was the first woman appointed chief correspondent at Yleisradio, Finland's national public broadcasting company, and similarly Rose was the first women to serve as General Secretary at AUKMW. Together, they have pushed through barriers and championed the values of workforce equity and inclusion that lie at the heart of GFI's work globally.
“GFI strives to break the barriers to access and opportunity for the working poor, "said GFI Founder and President, Karen Tramontano. "We are simply thrilled to welcome Rose and Kristiina who have committed their careers to the principals of fairness. They bring valuable knowledge and experience, but also a shared commitment to advocating for the rights and opportunities of the working poor. We are honored to have them as part of the Global Fairness Initiative leadership.”
The Global Fairness Initiative is an international NGO that works to create a more equitable, sustainable approach to economic development, and to make our global economy work for those who need it most − the world’s working poor. For nearly twenty year GFI has steadily built a track record of success through innovative programs to reduce poverty, enfranchise informal communities, and advance human rights and livelihoods around the world.
Kristiina Helenius (Finland)
Kristiina Helenius, who started her career as a news reporter, foreign correspondent, and social influencer based in Munich, Seoul, Paris, and Brussels, currently serves as CEO of the International Sanctions and Export Control Society, based in Washington, D.C. Previously, Helenius has served as CEO of the American Chamber of Commerce in Finland, Press Counselor at the Embassy of Finland in Washington, and CEO and partner of Miltton USA advising Nordic companies accessing the US market. As a journalist, Kristiina worked at the Finnish Broadcasting Company, where she was the first woman appointed as chief correspondent covering the EU, NATO, and the European Central Bank. Helenius has held numerous trustee positions including an executive board seat at AmChams-in-Europe, International Women's Forum DC, and the delegation of the Finnish Institute of International Affairs. She is a founding member of the John Morton Centre of American Studies at the University of Turku, the school where she received her Master's in Economics and Business Administration.
Rose Omamo (Kenya)
Rose Omamo is a mechanic by trade who worked in an assembly plant for nearly three decades. After experiencing the imbalance in gender representation in her union, which is 90% male, and seeing union negotiations that failed to take women into account, she decided to become more involved. Rose worked her way through the ranks and now serves as the General Secretary of the Amalgamated Union of Kenya Metal Workers, the first woman to hold this position. In addition, she was the National Chair of the Central Organization of Trade Unions - Kenya (Kenya’s equivalent of the AFL-CIO) Women’s Committee. Rose is known throughout Kenya as “Mama Union”. In 2019, Rose and helped make history by leading a landmark agreement to organize 5,600 workers in Kenya’s informal sector. This agreement was signed by the between the Metal Workers Union, and informal workers associations representing vendors, cleaners, autobody workers, and mechanics. Rose has been an outspoken leader on the need for gender representation and equality in the labor movement, and was a key worker representative in discussions on a treaty the ILO ratified in 2019 to address gender-based violence at work.
FORMER PRIME MINISTER OF GUINEA TO CHAIR GFI BOARD
Washington, DC – The Global Fairness Initiative (GFI), a leading NGO committed to the social and economic empowerment of the world’s working poor, announced the election of H.E. Kabine Komara, former Prime Minister of Guinea, as the new Chair of the GFI Board of Directors. H.E. Komara will replace outgoing Chairman Danilo Türk, former President of Republic of Slovenia. Komara’s election coincides with GFI’s 20th anniversary, and he is the fourth Head of State to serve as Chair of the GFI Board preceded by President Türk; José Maria Figueres, former President of Costa Rica; and William Clinton, former President of the United States.
“My congratulations to GFI for 20 years of pioneering work to uplift impoverished communities around the globe.” said President Turk. “It has been a pleasure to work alongside the leaders on this Board and I am so pleased that my friend Kabine will now Chair this exceptional organization. GFI has done so much to bring voice to the world’s working poor, and I am proud to have been part of their important work.”
H.E. Kabine Komara, is the former Prime Minister of Guinea and has been a member of the GFI Board for 6 years. Through more than 30 years of public service Prime Minister Komara has worked to address economic, social and natural resource challenges throughout the African continent. H.E. Komara is a former director of the African Export-Import Bank and High Commissioner of the Senegal River Basin Development Organization.
“We are honored to have Prime Minister Komara as our new Chair and we look forward to his leadership of this fantastic Board of Directors” said Karen Tramontano, Founder and President of Global Fairness Initiative. “I am also so thankful for President Turk's support over these many years and for the commitment of Kabine and our whole Board to GFI's important work.”
Since 2002, GFI has partnered with thousands of marginalized communities in Latin America, Africa, and Asia to enhance economic opportunities and build sustainable livelihoods. GFI has developed worker-centered programs that preserve and create jobs, empower women in the economy, advocate for informal worker rights, and build a future for workers is led by workers. By putting workers first and letting local partners lead, GFI helps ensure that communities of promise become centers of prosperity.
“It is an honor to Chair the GFI Board of Directors and to help advance our mission to create a more equitable, sustainable future for workers everywhere” said Prime Minister Komara. “I am grateful for the stewardship and friendship of Danilo, and for the confidence that Karen and the Board have shown in my leadership. I look forward to our work together in the pivotal years ahead.”
HE Kabine Komara
Guinea’s former Prime Minister is a well-known banker in the African continent and a former director at the African Export-Import Bank in Cairo, Egypt. Born and raised in Guinea, Mr. Komora studied management in Guinea’s capital Conakry, and then abroad in France, the United States and Egypt. He began his banking career at the Central Bank of Guinea and served as Assistant Director for Personnel in the Compagnie des Bauxites de Guinée as well a as Director of the Alumina Company of Guinea Aluminum. Rising in business and government, he was appointed Guinea’s National Director for Investment, a Member of the National Treasurer Committee Council and the Senior Advisor to the Ministry of Planning and Finance. In December 2008 H.E. Komara was appointed Prime Minister of Guinea and chose not to affiliate with any political party, but instead served the people and country of Guinea directly with a level of dignity and decorum that was widely regarded nationally and throughout the world. Following his Prime Ministership H.E. Komara was High Commissioner of the Organization for the Development of the Senegal River (OMVS) and authored a book that continues to serve as a key reference point on hydro diplomacy. Along with the Global Fairness Initiative, H.E. Komara serves on the Board of international foundations that address peace, security and environmental and water management.
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 HE Komara Board Chair Press Release | 632 kB |
G20 leaders: Focus on lifting citizens out of poverty through decent jobs and living wages
By Karen A. Tramontano, Founder, Global Fairness Initiative and Sharon Waxman, President and CEO, Fair Labor Association
This weekend, India will host the G20 Leaders' Summit, bringing together the finance ministers of the major economic powers that drive the world’s global production.
This meeting is an essential forum to address significant issues related to the global economy. Critical issues are on the agenda, including climate change, the war in Ukraine, food insecurity, global poverty, and the U.S. inclusive economic growth agenda. One noticeably absent issue is a direct discussion about how the G20 countries can support decent jobs in informal and formal economies. Since India is hosting the G20, it is well-placed to lead this conversation.
In 2022, the World Bank identified India as one of the world’s fastest-growing economies. It already is South Asia’s largest economy and ranks fifth worldwide at $3.5 trillion. But jobs in the informal economy – where there are no legal rights for workers – dominate. India's informal economy currently makes up 43.1% of its GDP. Some estimates indicate that up to 90% of Indians work in the informal sector without formal employment rights or contracts.
The laws in India – the Employee's State Insurance Act of 1948 and the Employee's Provident Fund of 1952 – require medical, sickness, maternity, disability, and retirement benefits for workers. But these benefits only apply to those working in the formal economy, specifically to enterprises that employ more than ten workers.
It’s the same story in Brazil, South Africa, and other countries attending the G20 Leaders' Summit. A majority of the workforce in these countries is in the informal sector, where benefits and legal rights remain elusive. And, while the percentage of workers in the informal economy in the U.S. is not large, the circumstances for those workers - who tend to be migrants and other vulnerable workers – are the same.
While over the last ten years, many G20 countries, including India, have reduced the number of people living in extreme poverty (below $2.15 per person per day), G20 leaders must focus on decent jobs and informality cohesively. Until they do, the related challenges of child forced labor and lack of living wages that have plagued the people of these countries will persist.
When the G20 leaders meet next week, they can tackle this issue head-on. They can start by challenging the ill-fated "trickle-down" economic model that strives to tie global reductions in state spending to increased private investment to boost incomes and reduce poverty, which consistently fails to reduce poverty or create decent jobs and often instead ushers a race to the bottom on wages and labor protections.
The G20 must re-prioritize the economic needs of the bottom half of its society and focus its policy initiatives on lifting them out of poverty through decent jobs and living wages. The economies of the G20 need to work for and meet the human needs of all their citizens.
Sharon Waxman is president and CEO of the Fair Labor Association (FLA), an international network of companies, universities, and civil society organizations collaborating to ensure that millions of people working at the world’s factories and farms are paid fairly and protected from risks to their health, safety, and well-being.
GFI WELCOMES BOARD MEMBER AT 20TH ANNUAL MEETING
New York, NY – The Global Fairness Initiative (GFI), a leading NGO committed to social and economic equity for the world’s working poor, gathered in New York City today for the Annual Board of Directors meeting hosted at the Ford Foundation Center for Social Justice. The meeting marked the 20th anniversary of GFI’s founding and was an opportunity to welcome a new Director, Anna Eliasson Schamis. H.E. Danilo Türk, presided the meeting which marker 20 years since the organization was founded. Dr. Türk is the former President of Republic of Slovenia and is the third Head of State to serve as Chair of the GFI Board. He was preceded by former President of Costa Rica, José Maria Figueres, and by former U.S. President William Clinton.
“My congratulations to GFI for 20 years of pioneering work to uplift impoverished communities around the globe. It has been a pleasure to work alongside the leaders on this Board and I am so pleased welcome Anna to this exceptional organization. GFI has done so much to bring voice to the world’s working poor, and I am proud to be part of their important work.”
Anna Eliasson Schamis is the founder of the Eliasson Group and a former Vice President at the Atlantic Council. She served as Vice Chair the Board of the United States Association for United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the advisory Board of the Americas Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).
“We are thrilled to welcome Ana Eliasson to this fantastic Board of Director” said Karen Tramontano, Founder and President of Global Fairness Initiative. “Ana and the entire Board bring deep experience and knowledge to GFI’s work, and it gives me great confidence to have this group of leaders guiding or important work.”
Since 2002, GFI has partnered with thousands of marginalized communities in Latin America, Africa, and Asia to enhance economic opportunities and build sustainable livelihoods. GFI has developed worker-centered programs that preserve and create jobs, empower women in the economy, advocate for informal worker rights, and build a future for workers is led by workers. By putting workers first and letting local partners lead, GFI helps ensure that communities of promise become centers of prosperity.
Anna Eliasson
Anna Eliasson Schamis is a fundraising and marketing professional with nearly 20 years of experience in international policy, development and humanitarian issues. Previously, Anna served as Vice President of Development and External Relations at the Atlantic Council where she quadrupled the Council’s revenue and led a $25M fundraising campaign for the creation of the Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security. Anna has also served as development directors of both the Aspen Institute and Cornell University. She is a member of the Advisory Board of the Americas Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). She served until recently as Vice Chair the Board of Directors of the United States Association for UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees). She holds an A.B. from Harvard University and an M.A. and M.Phil. in political science from Columbia University
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| GFI - New BOD Anna Eliasson Release - 06212023.pdf | Eliasson Press Release | 555 kB |
