Silver Spring, October 12, 2012 [ADRA International]. The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) International Board of Directors has elected Jonathan Duffy, current country cirector of ADRA Australia, to serve as president of 28-year-old humanitarian agency.
Speaking by telephone from Canberra, Australia, Duffy stated, "I am extremely honored to be selected for this role. ADRA has been a tremendous positive force in the humanitarian arena bringing hope and healing to millions over the last 28 years. I believe we have such great potential to make an even larger difference, especially with the very dedicated and talented staff around the globe. I look forward to working with the ADRA International staff, the ADRA Network, our Board, organisational partners and many supporters."
According to Geoffrey Mbwana, board chairman for ADRA International and a general vice president of the Seventh-day Adventist world church, the search "was a very transparent, very objective process; one that has gathered information from all levels of the organisation. We believe that Jonathan brings the leadership qualities we were looking for. He has the managerial experience and a very clear vision, as well as experience in the organisation."
During his tenure at ADRA Australia, Duffy emphasised strong relations between the Seventh-day Adventist Church and the agency, and revamped marketing to increase donations by 138-percent, the number of donors by 201-percent and the number of new donors by 271-percent.
Before joining ADRA Australia in 2008, Duffy served as director of Adventist Health for the South Pacific Division, where he had extensive experience in health promotion and community health development. He also holds a Masters of Public Health (MPH) from Deakin University in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Duffy's appointment comes after a four-month tenure by interim president Robert Rawson who accepted the call following the June 24, 2012, departure of then-president Rudi Maier. Duffy is expected to visit the agency's Silver Spring, Maryland, headquarters the week of October 15th.
