Verité’s Board of Directors is extremely pleased to announce that Dr. Shawn MacDonald has been appointed as Verité’s next Chief Executive Officer. MacDonald replaces Dan Viederman, who left in March to take a new position with Humanity United, a long-time Verité partner where he will work to further that organization’s mission to bring new approaches to complicated and urgent problems like forced labor. Viederman will join Verité’s Board of Directors.
Dr. MacDonald has worked at Verité since 2003, most recently serving as the head of the organization’s research and policy function, and has been serving as Interim CEO. MacDonald’s work has been a crucial part of Verité’s efforts to help eradicate forced labor in global supply chains, including leading the development of the recently-launched Responsible Sourcing Tool that helps companies accurately and effectively identify and respond to risk of forced labor in their supply chains, as required by the Federal Acquisition Regulations. MacDonald’s work has helped achieve broad recognition in the corporate sector of the role that labor recruiters play in exploiting migrant workers in global supply chains.
Verité Co-Chairs Joseph Bohan and Michael Musuraca said: “Verité is extremely fortunate that someone of Shawn’s caliber can step in and lead the organization as it empowers and protects vulnerable workers in the global economy. Shawn is an enormously talented and dedicated individual, and his work with governments, companies, and other NGOs has been a crucial part of Verité’s success. He is a highly respected thought leader, advocate, and skilled collaborator with all who seek to promote workers’ rights.”
Former CEO Dan Viederman commented: “I have worked closely with Shawn for over a decade, and know him to be a person of intellect and thoughtfulness, heart and humor, passionate commitment and deep integrity. I’m thrilled to be able to work with him in his new role as CEO.”
Verité conducted a national search for the CEO position, which was led by Board member Liddy Manson and Jeff Waldron of Waldron HR.