WICE Announces Comprehensive Restructuring to Modernize Global Development Approach

WICE, a global organization founded in 1989 by conservationist Daan Vreugdenhil, has announced a comprehensive revitalization of its mission, team, and operational model. The restructuring aims to usher in a modern era of sustainable development while maintaining the organization's trusted legacy. According to the announcement, WICE will expand its capabilities to meet today's global challenges as it redefines development approaches, creating a new model for supporting long-term sustainability across multiple sectors.

The organization's renewed mission will advance community-centered solutions across diverse fields including health, nutrition, agriculture, food systems, artificial intelligence, ecotourism, energy and environment, education, economic development, blockchain technology, governance, partnerships, and humanitarian assistance. Emily Weeks, Ph.D., CEO and co-founder of WICE USA, emphasized that this transformation honors previous work while recognizing the urgency to implement more effective approaches. Weeks, who previously worked at USAID, stated that the organization is blending decades of proven expertise with next-generation development strategies that center people, prioritize local leadership, and embrace modern tools and financing mechanisms.

The restructured organization combines legacy credibility with a high-impact operational model. With more than 150 experts operating across over 100 countries, the WICE team brings substantial experience having managed more than $50 billion in government contracts, advised presidents and national leaders, partnered with over 2,500 organizations, and delivered a century of combined results. The organization emphasizes its proven ability to rapidly deploy resources anywhere in the world, positioning itself as an agile, decentralized consortium that prioritizes collaboration over competition.

Dr. Ahmad Kablan, Ph.D., Vice President of WICE and another former USAID official, explained that the organization's focus is on creating innovative and inclusive solutions to global challenges. The approach ensures that health, ecosystems, and livelihoods can thrive while local capacity leads development initiatives. Kablan emphasized that sustainable development must deliver a prosperous, equitable, and resilient future for everyone, distinguishing WICE as an organization not just adapting to the evolving global development landscape but helping lead its transformation.

As the development sector moves toward new collaborative frameworks that blend public and private capital to unlock billions in investment, WICE positions itself at the forefront of advancing climate resilience, clean energy, inclusive economic growth, and sustainable infrastructure. The organization's restructuring represents a significant shift in how global development challenges are addressed, with Weeks declaring that WICE is redefining development and creating a bold new beginning. The transformation acknowledges that the world needs all hands on deck and positions WICE to lead in this new era of collaborative, community-centered sustainable development. Additional information about the organization's new direction is available at www.wice.org.