New Canaan Resident Brad Irwin Named Board Chair of Save the Children

Former Welch’s CEO to lead organization as it kicks off its 100th anniversary year

 International humanitarian organization Save the Children announced that Brad Irwin, former president and CEO of Welch’s and current board member of the organization, has been elected chair of the board of trustees in the United States.  Irwin will begin the role as the organization launches its 100^th anniversary year.  He succeeds interim co-board chairs Debra Fine and Dawn Sweeney, who will remain on as members of the board. 

“Brad is a highly respected and accomplished business leader. We believe his business acumen and strategic insights from having worked across global markets and cultures will be a tremendous asset to Save the Children as we continue to grow and innovate,” said Carolyn Miles, President & CEO of Save the Children.  “We are thrilled to have Brad, a long-time dedicated and passionate supporter of Save the Children, lead our board as we enter our next century of work for children.”

Irwin brings decades of strategic leadership with some of the globe’s most iconic consumer, food and beverage brands to his new role on the board.  He most recently retired as CEO from Welch’s, a $600 million global packaged goods company, at the end of 2018 after serving almost 10 years in that role. Prior to Welch’s, Irwin was president of Cadbury North America, a $1.5 billion division of a leading global confectionery company with $10 billion in annual sales worldwide. He ran this division, formerly known as Adam’s, for nearly six years after it was acquired by Cadbury in 2003.  Irwin joined Cadbury in 2000 as president of Mott’s Inc., a $700 million food and beverage company in North America, and transferred to the confectionery role within the company in 2003.

For the previous 20 years, Irwin had roles of increasing responsibility in marketing and general management with Procter & Gamble (P&G), including assignments in The Netherlands and Korea.

“I have been closely involved with Save the Children for many years. It is a trusted brand that delivers proven results for children,” said Save the Children Board Chair Brad Irwin. “I am excited to lead the board at a time when the organization is not only looking back at the remarkable milestones achieved for children in its 100-year history, but also looking forward at new approaches to becoming a more agile, effective and efficient organization.  I am honored to take on this new role, and I’m ready to get to work with Carolyn and my fellow board members.”

Irwin has been a member and served in various capacities of Save the Children’s U.S.  Board of Trustees on and off throughout the past 15 years. He initially joined the board for a six-year term in 2003, re-joined in 2011 and then became a member of Save the Children International’s Board in 2018. Throughout his tenure on the board, he has visited Save the Children’s early learning programs in rural Arkansas, Kentucky, South Carolina and West Virginia; child health and nutrition programs in rural Guatemala; as well as the agency’s programs to discourage and prevent child marriage in India.

He joins Dr. Jill Biden, Anne Mulcahy, Bob Daly and Tom S. Murphy, among others, who have previously served as board chair for the organization.

Save the Children dates back to 1919. Child-rights champion Eglantyne Jebb founded the organization to serve the life-saving needs of German and Austrian children in war-torn Europe after World War I. One hundred years later, Save the Children continues her legacy, responding to the dire needs of children caught up in conflict from South Sudan to the DRC, to Syria, Yemen and Myanmar. The organization now operates in more than 120 countries, including the United States, giving children a healthy start, an opportunity to learn and protection from harm. Through its work, the organization in 2017 alone reached more than 155 million children.

Photo Credit: Richard Strauss