03/31/2025
With deep sadness, we are sharing the news that Pierre Ferrari, former President and CEO of Heifer International, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 29, surrounded by his family.
Pierre led Heifer International from 2010 to 2022 and in the years that followed he remained a passionate champion of our mission to end hunger and poverty for smallholder farming communities. His impact on our organization—and the global movement to end hunger and poverty—is profound and enduring.
A visionary leader, Pierre brought bold ambition and his business acumen to Heifer at a time of transformation. Under his leadership, we moved from a broad collection of small projects to large-scale, community-driven programs designed for lasting impact. He pushed us to be more strategic, focused, and accountable to the farmers we serve.
As Heifer Board member Randi Hedin noted at the time of his retirement, “Over the last 12 years, Pierre and the team have transformed Heifer into a leading international development organization... focused on innovation and entrepreneurship.” That transformation continues to shape our work and our mission.
Heifer International extends its heartfelt condolences to Pierre’s family, his friends and all those who were fortunate to work alongside him as he dedicated himself to improving the lives of millions of rural families in Africa, Asia and the Americas.
