Josh Merin

Josh Merin is the International Franchise Association’s (IFA) Vice President, International Affairs and Chief of Staff. In this role, Josh leads IFA’s international program, where he works to promote and protect the interests of IFA members across the globe. Components of IFA’s international program include trade missions, advocacy, conferences, educational programming and research. He has delivered speeches around the world on franchising, and has been interviewed by major international media outlets. As Chief of Staff, he serves as a senior advisor to the CEO to help determine, articulate, and execute the mission, vision, and strategies of IFA. Merin is staff leader of IFA’s Social Sector Task Force which applies the franchise model towards humanitarian ends. In previous roles at IFA, Josh led IFA’s award-winning VetFran program as well as the day-to-day research for the IFA Educational Foundation. With a background on Capitol Hill in the office of Representative William Delahunt of Massachusetts, Josh also worked for a public affairs firm, developing coalitions. Earlier, he had roles of increasing responsibility in small business leadership in the art market. Josh attended The George Washington University and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree from the Corcoran College of Art + Design. He serves on the International Policy Committee of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and sits on the advisory board for the University of New Hampshire’s Social Sector Franchising Initiative. Merin is a member of the U.S. Trade Representative and Department of Commerce’s Trade Advisory Committee on Finance and Services.