Stephen Hayes (business executive)

Stephen Hayes
President Emeritus at the Corporate Council on Africa
In office
2017–present
CEO of the Corporate Council on Africa
In office
1999–2017
Succeeded byFlorizelle Liser
Founder and president at American Center for International Leadership
In office
1985–1999
Personal details
Born
America
Alma materIndiana University
Texas A&M University

Stephen Hayes is an American international development and trade executive known for his leadership in U.S.–Africa economic relations and international policy dialogue. He served as President and CEO of the Corporate Council on Africa from 1999 to 2017 and was subsequently named President Emeritus. During his tenure, the organization expanded significantly and advocated to the African Growth and Opportunity Act.[1][2]

Earlier in his career, Hayes founded the American Center for International Leadership (ACIL) in 1985, promoting dialogue between emerging leaders in the United States and countries including China, Vietnam, and Libya. He was a founding figure in the Infant Formula Campaign, referred to as the 1977 Nestlé boycott. The campaign's resolution was reported on the front page of The New York Times in 1983.[3][4]

His work at Corporate Council on Africa earned major recognition in the USA, including the Ron Brown Award for International Leadership in 2008 and the President's “E” Award for Excellence in International Trade in 2015.[5] In 2023, he joined the international consulting firm Gainful Solutions as a partner. He earned a bachelor's degree from Indiana University in 1969 and a master's degree in agricultural economics from Texas A&M University in 1972.[6]

Education

Hayes earned a bachelor's degree in Political Science from Indiana University in 1969. He later obtained a master's degree in agricultural economics from Texas A&M University in 1972.[6]

Career

Hayes began his international work in 1968 as a volunteer in a refugee camp in the Middle East. He later held professional roles with Winnington Limited, a privately owned European holding company, and with Cohen & Woods International, Inc.[7]

In early 1980s, Hayes worked in the international nonprofit sector, holding senior roles with several organizations, including the YMCAs in Geneva, and AFS International, the student exchange organization. He was among the founders of the Infant Formula Campaign, known as the Nestlé’s Boycott.[8] The campaign's conclusion was reported on the front page of The New York Times in 1983.[4]

ACIL

In 1985, Hayes established the American Center for International Leadership (ACIL), a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting dialogue between emerging leaders in the United States and counterparts in countries where prior relations with the U.S. had been limited or strained.[9] ACIL was funded by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, Ford Foundation and others.[10]

In 1987, as a president of ACIL, Hayes participated in programs organized by the National Committee on US-China Relations to engage emerging Chinese and American leaders in bilateral exchanges, continuing similar programs for ten years.[11] From 1993 to 1999, he engaged in preparatory diplomacy in Libya related to the Pan Am 103/Lockerbie case.[9] In 1995, ACIL arranged a delegation of Vietnamese leaders to visit the United States, marking the first such visit since the Vietnam War.[9]

CCA

In 1999, Hayes became President and CEO of the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA), a Washington, D.C.–based business association focused on U.S.–Africa trade and investment.[12] During his tenure, CCA's membership increased from 86 member companies in 1999 to more than 200 by 2004.[1][13] CCA engaged in advocacy concerning the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), enacted in 2000, and in 2003 co-sponsored the Commission on Capital Flows to Africa.[14]

The organization also implemented USAID-supported business linkage programs, including South Africa International Business Linkages (SAIBL) and West Africa International Business Linkages (WAIBL), and developed working relationships with regional economic institutions such as the COMESA.[15] CCA also supported corporate HIV/AIDS workplace initiatives with philanthropic backing, including support from the Gates Foundation.[16] In 2011 and 2012, Hayes testified before United States congress on trade and investment matters related to U.S.–Africa economic relations.[17][18]

In 2015, CCA awarded the President's “E” Award for Excellence in International Trade, the recognition U.S. entity receives for contributing to the expansion of U.S. exports.[5] He stepped down from the CEO role in 2017 and was subsequently named President Emeritus of the Corporate Council on Africa.

Other considerations

In 2008, Hayes was awarded the U.S. Department of Commerce's Ron Brown Award for International Leadership. The previous recipient of the award had been then–U.S. Senator Barack Obama.[8] In 2023, Hayes joined the international consulting and lobbying firm Gainful Solutions as a partner.[6]

Recognitions

References

  1. ^ a b "AAI 2016 Awards Gala to Honor Aliko Dangote of Dangote Group, Stephen Hayes of Corporate Council on Africa, and Sunil Benimadhu of Stock Exchange of Mauritius". Africa-America Institute. 2016-09-16. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
  2. ^ "Africa: Increased U.S. Investment in Africa Important for U.S.-Africa Relations". Corporate Council on Africa. 2005-10-20. Retrieved 2026-02-17.
  3. ^ "Expert Views on Going Beyond the African Growth & Opportunity Act" (PDF). Wilson Center. Retrieved 7 March 2026.
  4. ^ a b "NESTLE PUTS CURBS ON MARKETING". The New York Times. 1983-10-14. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2026-02-17.
  5. ^ a b c "The Corporate Council On Africa Receives Presidential Award For Export Successes". Corporate Council on Africa. 2015-05-19. Retrieved 2026-02-17.
  6. ^ a b c "Gainful Solutions Welcomes Stephen Hayes as a Partner". PR.com. Retrieved 2026-02-16.
  7. ^ OAS (2009-08-01). "OAS - Organization of American States: Democracy for peace, security, and development". www.oas.org. Retrieved 2026-02-16.
  8. ^ a b c "The U.S. and Africa Must Be Equal Partners". Retrieved 2026-02-16.
  9. ^ a b c d "allAfrica.com: Travel". travel.allafrica.com. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
  10. ^ "Annual Report 1989" (PDF). Rockefeller Brothers Fund. Retrieved 7 March 2026.
  11. ^ "Towards an Improved U.S.-China Relationship". China-US Focus. 2021-03-03. Retrieved 2026-02-16.
  12. ^ Salifou, Soumanou (2014-01-21). "The African Americans behind the Corporate Council on Africa". Retrieved 2026-02-17.
  13. ^ Hultman, Tamela (2004-03-24). "Corporate Council's Steve Hayes 'We are Making a Difference for Africa". allAfrica.com. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
  14. ^ "Commission On Capital Flows Report Released Today". United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. 2003-06-23. Retrieved 2026-02-17.
  15. ^ "U.S.-Africa Business Linkages Overview". www.scribd.com. Retrieved 2026-02-17.
  16. ^ "Africa: CDC Official to Head CCA's HIV/AIDS Initiative Team". Corporate Council on Africa. 2003-12-11. Retrieved 2026-02-17.
  17. ^ "ECONOMIC STATECRAFT: INCREASING AMERICAN JOBS THROUGH GREATER U.S.–AFRICA TRADE AND INVESTMENT" (PDF). govinfo.gov. 25 July 2012. Retrieved 7 March 2026.
  18. ^ "allAfrica.com: Africa: Statement by Stephen Hayes, President and CEO, Corporate Council on Africa, Washington, DC - Senate Hearings (Page 1 of 3)". allafrica.com. Archived from the original on 2014-04-02. Retrieved 2026-02-17.
  19. ^ "CCA President Stephen Hayes Named AAI 2016 U.S. Business Leader". allAfrica.com. 2016-08-11. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
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