After serving as program director of the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust for three years, David Austin has been invited to join the executive management group of the World Food Programme (WFP). Beginning in early September, he will manage the office of David Beasley, who was appointed executive director of WFP by the United Nations Secretary-General in March.
Funded entirely by voluntary donations, WFP is the leading humanitarian organization fighting hunger worldwide and serves over 80 million people in 80 different countries. Efforts include delivering emergency food assistance and working within communities to provide developmental aid. WFP currently employs more than 18,000 people globally and is headquartered in Rome, where David and his family will relocate.
Before joining the Trust, David’s leadership roles included chief of staff to U.S. Ambassador Tony Hall and program director for Mercy Corps’ Northeast China and North Korea programs. He is also a member of The National Committee on North Korea and has served with numerous nonprofits around the Northwest. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Washington, an MBA from St. John’s College and another master’s degree from the University of Portland. David is a native Oregonian and is married with five children.
