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Home > heifer.org > dev site Left Nav > Home > Inside Heifer > Our Offices > Leadership Team > New CEO sees Heifer's brand as a ‘love mark'—doing what's right for others > Pierre U. Ferrari, CEO, Heifer International

Pierre U. Ferrari, CEO, Heifer International

Heifer International CEO Pierre Ferrari
Pierre Ferrari

Board, investor activities

CEO, Heifer International, November 2010-present
Direct global hunger-fighting organization as it pursues and delivers on its mission to end poverty and hunger and care for the Earth.

Board member, former chair, Ben & Jerry's Homemade Ice Cream, 1999-present
Directed independent board with primary responsibility for the social mission, product quality and long-term brand integrity of the business. In 2008, as newly appointed chair, led the board to affirm Ben and Jerry's commitment to fulfill its three-part mission.

Director: Small Enterprise Assistance Fund (SEAF), 1998-present
SEAF is a nonprofit Fund of Funds, whose for-profit subsidiary funds provide venture/mezzanine capital to the small end medium enterprise sector in Second and Third World economies (Eastern Europe, Latin America, India, Vietnam, China, Africa and Central Eurasia.)

President: Hot Fudge Social Venture Fund, 2001-present
Venture fund created as condition of the sale of Ben and Jerry's to Unilever. Fund fully invested in companies that meet the goals of developing businesses with sustainable economics, quality jobs and creating wealth-building opportunities for employees.

Director: Maji Mazuri, USA, 2003-present
Atlanta-based nonprofit works to help people escape from the bondage of poverty, ignorance and myth and become fully developed individuals. Organization raises funds to support and invest in programs in Kenya.

Emory University Center for Ethics, 2000-present
Director of external advisory board to multidisciplinary center at Emory.

Oglethorpe University, 2010
Advisory trustee for small liberal arts college in Atlanta.

Management experience

Guayaki SRP: Investor, director, 2005- present
Guayaki is a Sustainable Organic Yerba Mate business. Sales growth is linked to increased forests restoration, community health and prosperity. Guayaki's model is featured in the 2010 Clinton Global Initiative Conference.

Tula Communications co-founder, 2000-2005
Co-founded Tula Communications, a boutique-marketing firm specializing in strategy and immersive brand experiences.

Lang and Associates, international president, 1998-2000
International practice in sports marketing with offices in Japan, Seoul and Sydney.

CARE, special assistant to the president, 1995-1998
Supported the president of $500-million global emergency aid and development organization. Led the first comprehensive strategic plan based on performance measures. Launched and raised the funds for an early literacy project test marketed in Boston, Mass. Supported marketing department by securing substantial increase in public service announcements to advertise the work of CARE. Participated in various other projects in Africa: feasibility mission for a hospital in Zaire, review of women co-op banking project in Niger and micro loan programs.

The Coca-Cola Co., 1988-1995
Senior vice president, Marketing, Coca-Cola USA, 1991-1995

  • Responsible for a $500-million budget and more than 200 professionals.
    • Advertising (Always campaign)
    • Sports marketing (Olympics, World Cup, NASCAR, NBA, NFL)
    • Packaging development
    • All consumer promotions
  • Launched plastic contour bottle for company
  • Repositioned Sprite which added shareholder value

Senior vice president, Marketing, Coca-Cola Foods, 1988-1991

  • Responsible for $60-million budget
  • Launched Minute Maid entry into the not-from-concentrate juice market
  • Launched a variety of packaging initiatives that increased share and operating income
  • Result was to move the company's operating income from a loss to $135 million profit and an acceptable return on assets in 3 years.

1976-1988

  • 1986-1988, senior vice-president, Buckingham-Wile (wine & liquor importer/marketer)
  • 1984-1986, president, Frederick Wildman and Sons (fine wine importer)
  • 1984, president, Cinzano North America
  • 1978-1984, various and increasingly responsible positions at the Wine Spectrum, Coca-Cola's wine division
  • 1976-1978, project manager, corporate business development group, the Coca-Cola Co.

Education

  • MA (Economics) The University of Cambridge
  • MBA, Harvard University

Personal

    • Born in The Belgian Congo, raised in Congo, Kenya and England. Enjoys golf, squash, reading and travel.