Vienna, 30 September 2026 – Global coalition of animal welfare organisations, the World Federation for Animals has announced a new president: Luciana D’Abramo . The election was confirmed at the NGO’s bi-annual General Assembly, which took place in Vienna. Luciana D’Abramo will take the reins from Josef Pfabigan, CEO of FOUR PAWS, who stands down after completing his two year mandate as president.
The World Federation for Animals is a UN-accredited not-for-profit global federation of over 70 animal welfare organisations across five continents. Collectively, they advocate for the recognition of animal welfare as essential to sustainable development, specifically within the international agreements and institutions that shape global health, food systems and environment. Its members work across a wide range of animal protection issues, from those farmed for food, used in science and entertainment, and in the wild.
Incoming president Luciana D’Abramo is the Chief Programme Officer and Board Member of FOUR PAWS International, the global animal welfare organisation headquartered in Vienna. At FOUR PAWS, D’Abramo leads global programmes advancing sustainable change for animals, people and the planet. With more than 20 years of experience spanning both the corporate and non-profit sectors, D’Abramo grounds her leadership in the belief that animal welfare and human wellbeing are inseparable, and that the way we treat animals and the environment is integral to achieving global health and resilience.
In addition to electing a new president, a number of other appointments to the WFA board were agreed. The new WFA board comprises:
Board officers
- President: Luciana D’Abramo, Chief Programme Officer, FOUR PAWS International
- Vice-President: Reineke Hameleers, CEO, Eurogroup for Animals
- Treasurer: Roly Owers, Chief Executive, World Horse Welfare
- Secretary: Wim DeKok, President, National Council for Animal Protection
Regional board seats
- Africa: Tozie Zokufa, Executive Administrator, Coalition of African Animal Welfare Organisations (CAAWO)
- Europe: Reineke Hameleers, CEO, Eurogroup for Animals
- Latin America & Caribbean: María Francisca Tapia Thenoux, Research Director and Intercontinental Coordinator, Latingroup for Animals
- Asia: Sirjana Nijjar, Deputy CEO, Asia for Animals
- North America: Wim DeKok, President, National Council for Animal Protection
Other board seats
- Thomas Schultz-Jagow, Executive Director of Advocacy and Prevention, RSPCA
- Jürgen Plinz, Treasurer, Deutscher Tierschutzbund
They join existing members Britta Riis, CEO, Animal Protection Denmark, Philip Lymbery, Global CEO, Compassion in World Farming and Glenys Oogjes, CEO of Animals Australia.
Luciana D’Abramo comments, “Animal welfare is a global responsibility. Through the WFA, we have built a strong movement that can help shape the future of animal welfare. As newly elected President, I will work to ensure that our platform continues to grow in diversity, expertise and influence. I will also focus on building bridges beyond our sector to amplify our collective voice and impact. At FOUR PAWS, our ambition includes helping to strengthen and grow the global animal welfare movement through scalable, systemic change. I am honoured to advance this vision as president of the WFA and to help turn it into reality.”
James Yeates, CEO of World Federation for Animals adds, “Luciana is not only a passionate advocate for animal welfare, but has the ambition, experience and outlook that will be a huge asset to WFA. The Federation has just concluded our second global General Assembly and it has brought home to me how across all the different geographical, cultural and political landscapes our members operate in, by learning from one another and building together, our voices are louder and our movement will get even stronger. I’m very grateful for the support of Luciana and FOUR PAWS and am deeply appreciative of the outgoing president, Josef and other board members.”
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For further information or interview requests please contact Victoria Evans: victoria.evans@wfa.org / +44 (0) 7766 244 322
Notes to Editors
- The World Federation for Animals is a not-for-profit global federation comprising over 70 animal welfare organisations. Established in 2020, it works to embed animal welfare into sustainable development worldwide. A UN-accredited organisation, it works towards the recognition and integration of animal welfare into international health, food, and environmental regimes and trade and development finance rules.
- Images for media use can be downloaded here
