BBB National Programs Hired New Business Development VP
Ahmad Akbari will lead national partner initiatives to expand the organization’s trust programs.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in People
BBB National Programs has appointed Ahmad Akbari as Vice President for National Partners and Business Development. He joins the organization to oversee stakeholder engagement and expand participation in its suite of programs.
Why it matters
The appointment signals a push to broaden the reach of the organization's self-regulatory trust initiatives. For business operators, this may lead to new opportunities to engage with national marketplace standards.
Ahmad Akbari brings over 25 years of experience in financial services and business banking to the organization. He will lead efforts for the entity, which currently operates more than 20 distinct marketplace trust programs.
The players
Ahmad Akbari
A financial services veteran with over 25 years of experience, previously employed by Capital One and Accenture.
BBB National Programs
A non-profit organization that manages more than 20 marketplace trust and self-regulation programs across the United States.
The details
Akbari will oversee the National Partner community, focusing on identifying opportunities to engage stakeholders in marketplace trust initiatives. His background in finance and business management will support efforts to scale program participation across the organization's portfolio. The role involves managing external relationships to ensure broad alignment with industry self-regulation standards.
Timeline
September 28, 2026: BBB National Programs announced the appointment of Ahmad Akbari.
Market Landscape
The appointment follows 50 years of operations for BBB National Programs and signals a shift toward more aggressive business development. It reflects a trend of established self-regulatory bodies seeking deeper professional expertise to grow their stakeholder influence.
Operators should monitor whether the expansion of these trust programs introduces new compliance standards or certification opportunities for their sector. Evaluating these initiatives periodically can help businesses stay aligned with evolving national marketplace expectations.
The takeaway
The move highlights a broader trend of non-profits scaling through private-sector talent to improve stakeholder outreach. Business leaders should track the growth of these 20 programs to identify if upcoming shifts impact their operational compliance or market standing.
Further reading
For more on shifts in industry leadership, see People.
