Kathy Ireland, founder, CEO and Chief Designer of kiWW (kathy ireland Worldwide), has been cited as one of 17 finalists for the first Global Business & Interfaith Peace Award given by the Religious Freedom & Business Foundation, a U.S.-based nonprofit operating in the award program together with the United Nations Global Compact Business for Peace initiative.
The new tribute is dedicated to “honoring current and past business CEOs for distinctive leadership in promoting and fostering interfaith understanding.”
Winners of the prize will be announced Sept. 6 in Rio de Janeiro. Nominated CEO leaders head faith-assisting businesses from Indonesia, Brazil, Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, the United Kingdom, United Arab Republic, Canada, Iraq, Mozambique and eight companies based in the United States.
“Business leaders are increasingly aware they have a responsibility to do good and not just make a profit,” said Brian Grim, the president and founder of The Religious Freedom & Business Foundation. “Part of doing good is addressing some of the really tough challenges we face, such as extremism and communal conflict. These finalists, who come from around the world and a variety of business and religious backgrounds, have shown exceeding leadership in how religions can work together to achieve common good and positive change.”
Grim noted that Ms. Ireland founded her internationally successful lifestyle product design firm with dedication to assisting people of goodwill and all faiths in achieving fundamental rights and for providing assistance for challenged societies. He particularly noted that Kathy Ireland and kathy ireland Worldwide supports Hardwired, a women-led educational initiative in Iraq and Sudan. She has also drawn attention to the plight of Yazidi women escaping oppression. "
“This nomination does not belong to me,” says Kathy. “It is the result of incredible efforts of the brave leadership, volunteers, contributors and supporters of Hardwired. Its young founder, Tina Ramirez, represents the kind of initiative that will make a more compassionate world.”
In other areas of compassionate activism, Kathy serves as Ambassador for the YWCA Greater Los Angeles campaign to address human trafficking, an issue she has also pursued in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. She also serves as Ambassador for the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation, carrying on the mission of her late friend and mentor, Dame Elizabeth Taylor's efforts to fight the global epidemic.
