Ian Forber-Pratt

President

Ian joined CERI in 2016 as the India National Director, and most recently, has been serving as the Acting Executive Director, where he has demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication to CERI’s mission. His vision is to position CERI for expansion, growth and impact to reach more children and families in need.

Ian holds a master’s in social work from the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, where he specialized in social change theories, applying policies in practice, teaching strategies, and alternative care for children who have been sexually exploited or trafficked.

Throughout his tenure with CERI, Ian has managed country offices and led efforts to engage national and state governments globally in policymaking and capacity building in childcare and protection system reform, focusing on transitioning from institutional to family-based care.

Before joining CERI, Ian was the Chief Executive Officer at The Institute for Child Welfare Innovation in St. Louis, Missouri, responsible for daily operations, strategic vision, and board management. He also founded and served as the Executive Director of Foster Care India, leading a team of local and international employees and securing significant funding for child welfare projects.

Ian specializes in counseling for adoptive families, focusing on identity, root search, and cultural competence. He strongly believes in the importance of human connection, having difficult conversations, and embracing contradictions.

In a world dominated by social media, technology, and polarization, Ian’s passion and love for humanity motivates him to advocate for a logical and measurable approach to achieving progress and sustainable success.

Ian and his wife Nargis have two children, Zane and Inaya. He loves running, spending time with his children and driving large vehicles (he currently drives a lifted Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe).