The President of IHEU is Sonja Eggerickx (since 2006).

Since 1996, the following people have served as President of IHEU:

• Roy Brown (2003-2006)
• Levi Fragell (1998-2003)
• Rob Tielman (1996-1998)

From 1975 to 1996, a "Troika" of three Co-Chairmen took charge. The first Troika was Mihailo Markovic, Howard Radest and Piet Thones. The Troika system was maintained for 21 years, until 1996. Those who served as Co-Chairmen were:

• Piet Thones (1975-1979)
• Mihailo Markovic (1975-1985)
• Howard B Radest (1975-1986)
• Bert Schwarz (1979-1986)
• Svetozar Stojanovic (1985-1987)
• Rob Tielman (1986-1996)
• Paul Kurtz (1986-1994)
• Levi Fragell (1987-1990)
• Kari Vigeland (1990-1993)
• Jane Wynne Willson (1993-1996)
• Vern Bullough (1995-1996)

The first Chairman of IHEU was Jaap van Praag (from 1952 to 1975).

Julian Huxley was the first Director General of UNESCO. He was due to preside at the founding World Congress, which was held in Amsterdam from August 21 to 26, 1952. However, he was unwell and the Congress was opened by Jaap van Praag, chairman of the organizing committee. (The preparatory work was done by five humanist organizations: American Ethical Union; American Humanist Association; British Ethical Association; Vienna Ethical Society; and Dutch Humanist League, which hosted the Congress.) Despite his illness, Huxley did make a Presidential Address on "Evolutionary Humanism".

Source: Gasenbeek, Bert and Gogineni, Babu, eds. 2002. International Humanist and Ethical Union 1952-2002: Past present and future. De Tijdstroom, Leusden.