PRESS RELEASE
June 15, 2016
World Relief Announces President Transition
World Relief announced today that its President, Stephan Bauman, has resigned to take up the position of Executive Director at Cornerstone Trust, a foundation based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, seeking to bring transformation to the least accessed and resourced regions of the world. Scott Arbeiter, former Chair of the Board of World Relief and former Lead Pastor at Elmbrook Church in Wisconsin, will assume the role of World Relief’s President, effective August 15, 2016. Scott will serve alongside Tim Breene, World Relief’s CEO.
“I am sorry to see Stephan go,” said Tim Breene. “He has made a huge contribution to World Relief over his 12 years, including his tenure as President and CEO. Stephan played a pivotal role in bringing World Relief back to its core mission and roots. He has overseen the expansion of World Relief’s footprint both in the U.S. and the Middle East. In the last year in particular, Stephan has been a leading voice on the plight of refugees and the displaced around the world. Stephan, Scott and I have worked closely in defining the next chapter for World Relief. With Scott stepping into the President’s role, we anticipate a seamless transition.”
“The decision to leave World Relief has not been easy, but I am encouraged by what we have achieved together,” said Stephan Bauman. “After much reflection, the time is right for me to take on a new challenge. The role with Cornerstone will give me the opportunity to leverage my years of experience in relief and development towards serving the most vulnerable through philanthropy. My confidence in both Tim and Scott made it possible for me to consider this transition, knowing that I would be leaving World Relief in good hands. I am grateful for their partnership over the years and especially the last twelve months.”
Chair of the Board, Steve Moore, added, “Stephan has served tirelessly and faithfully for many years. We are truly grateful for his service and for the progress World Relief has made under his stewardship in standing with the most vulnerable around the world. We honor his sense of calling to his new role.”
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For more than 70 years World Relief has empowered the local church to serve millions of vulnerable people in some of the hardest places in the world. World Relief is a preferred choice among churches, donors and partners.
For press inquires, please contact Christina Klinepeter at cklinepeter@wr.org.