Geneva, 1 September 2023 – GAN Global is thrilled to announce the appointment of Kathryn Rowan as its new Executive Director. Ms. Rowan, a seasoned leader with an exceptional background in human resources and corporate social responsibility, brings a wealth of experience from her previous role as Vice President of Human Resources, Zone Latin America, and Global Youth Lead at Nestlé. As GAN continues to champion the importance of apprenticeships and work-based learning worldwide, the organization is confident that Kathryn Rowan’s vision, expertise, and dedication will steer GAN into an even brighter future.
I am thrilled to join the Global Apprenticeship Network as its new Executive Director,” said Ms. Rowan. I look forward to building on the legacy of the GAN’s previous ED, Nazrene Mannie, whose impact will no doubt resonate for many years to come.
Kathryn Rowan, GAN Global Executive Director
Throughout her career, Ms. Rowan has consistently demonstrated a passion for harnessing the power of business to drive positive change in society. During her tenure at Nestlé, in national, regional, and global roles, she promoted initiatives to strengthen leadership and capability building, diversity, and corporate reputation, while spearheading youth-focused efforts, including the Global Alliance for Youth.
In her new role as GAN Global Executive Director, Kathryn Rowan will be entrusted with leading the organization’s efforts to promote apprenticeship and work-based learning opportunities globally, particularly in the face of the recently adopted Recommendation on Quality Apprenticeships – the first framework on the definition of apprenticeship, agreed by employers, governments and workers at the 2023 International Labor Conference (ILC). With her unique corporate experience, Ms. Rowan is poised to build upon GAN’s existing foundation and further strengthen the organization’s impact. GAN’s Chairman, Mr. Laurent Freixe, expressed his enthusiasm for the appointment, stating,
Kathryn brought a wealth of experience to Nestlé, in addition to leading the GAN Steering Committee since 2019. I am confident that this, combined with her passion and commitment, will take the organization to greater heights.
Laurent Freixe, GAN Global Chair and CEO Zone Latin America, Nestlé
As Executive Director, Ms. Rowan will lead efforts to explore innovative approaches to address the ever-evolving needs of the global workforce. Her private sector insights will bring a unique perspective on the policy needed to adapt apprenticeship models to industry demands, in the face of rapid technological advancements.