Washington, D.C. – Bread for the World welcomes Michele Sumilas today as its new managing director. Sumilas succeeds Alice Walker Duff, who announced last year that she would retire in June 2017.
“Michele’s experience and lifelong commitment to ending hunger and poverty make her the ideal candidate to guide Bread forward during these uncertain times of budget cuts and crisis in our nation,” said Rev. David Beckmann, president of Bread for the World. “We are ecstatic that Michele is joining Bread for the World. We look forward to working with her to improve the lives of people living in hunger and poverty.”
Sumilas has extensive, successful experience as a manager. For the past six years, she worked at the US Agency for International Development (USAID), including as chief of staff. While at USAID, Sumilas played a key role in the U.S. response to the Ebola crisis. USAID is a 10,000-person government agency with 13 bureaus in Washington, D.C., and 75 missions around the world.
Sumilas previously served on the House of Representatives’ appropriations subcommittee on state and foreign operations, where she oversaw the U.S. government's development policy and budget. Prior to serving in government, Sumilas worked at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, where she led a global health advocacy portfolio. She also served as the director of government relations for the Global Health Council.
“I am excited to be joining Bread for the World in its mission to end hunger and poverty, both in the U.S. and around the world,” Sumilas said. “I have dedicated my career to improving the lives of people living in hunger and poverty, and I look forward to continue this calling with such an exceptional group of people.”
Walker Duff is returning to her home in Los Angeles, California, where she looks forward to spending time with her friends and family and joining local teams of Bread advocates.
“Working with the wonderful members and staff of Bread for the World has been a highlight in my professional career,” Walker Duff said. “I have been able to put my faith into action and witness powerful results – and for that opportunity, I am thankful to God and Bread for the World.”
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