Abby Maxman
President & CEO, Oxfam America
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"My journey has shown me the power of communities to drive change, even in the face of poverty, injustice, and conflict. Oxfam has always stood out for its deep-rooted partnerships and its unwavering commitment to equity and justice. As we confront the challenges of today—from climate change to economic inequality—I am proud to lead an organization that is not only reimagining global aid but advancing systemic change through inclusive, decolonial, feminist, and anti-racist approaches."
Abby Maxman is the President and CEO of Oxfam America, where she leads with a transformative vision for a more just and equitable world. Under her leadership, Oxfam America is advancing its commitment to addressing the root causes of poverty, inequality, and injustice, through locally led partnerships in humanitarian policy and practice, and advocating for economic justice, gender equality, climate action, and rights and dignity in crisis.
Maxman brings over 30 years of experience in the field, having held leadership roles including Deputy Secretary General of CARE International and Vice President of International Programs and Operations at CARE USA. Her career has taken her to more than 70 countries, and she has lived and worked in Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, the Occupied Palestinian Territory & Israel, the Republic of Georgia, Haiti, Ethiopia, Switzerland, and the United States. These experiences have honed her understanding of systemic issues and reinforced her commitment to inclusive, feminist leadership and decolonizing the aid sector through policy and practice.
Maxman’s work spans critical global challenges, from the apartheid era in southern Africa, the HIV/AIDS and Ebola epidemics in sub-Saharan Africa, and chronic food insecurity in Ethiopia. She has been involved in post-genocide relief and recovery efforts in Rwanda, supported civil society organizations in the Republic of Georgia, and led large-scale humanitarian responses in Haiti and Ethiopia. Her leadership has been instrumental in advancing gender and climate justice, fighting inequality, and driving Oxfam America’s ambitious 2030 strategy.
At Oxfam America, Maxman is reshaping the organization to be more representative of the communities it serves. She has supported global governance as Oxfam advances its de-colonial journey, and has invested in fostering an anti-racist culture and preventing sexual exploitation and abuse in the aid sector. Her approach is deeply values-driven, focusing on systemic change and advocating for justice to address the root causes of poverty and inequality.
Maxman’s leadership extends beyond Oxfam America. During her tenure, she has served as the Chair of the boards of InterAction, and the Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response, and as an NGO principal on the UN Inter-Agency Standing Committee. She serves as a Trustee on the board of Frontline AIDS, the Global Executive Leadership Initiative and on the Classy Leadership Council and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Her contributions reflect a steadfast commitment to collaborative and intersectional approaches to global challenges.
Maxman holds a BA in History and Political Science, a Master’s in International Administration, and several honorary doctorates. She is a mother of three and resides with her husband of thirty years in Boston, continuing her lifelong dedication to global justice and equality.