World Hope International Welcomes Jo Anne Lyon as Board Chair

Nov 19, 2024 | Press Release

Alexandria, Va. – Nov. 19, 2024 – Dr. Jo Anne Lyon, a renowned humanitarian and the founder of World Hope International, has rejoined the organization’s board of directors as chair. Lyon brings a wealth of experience and a lifelong commitment to alleviating poverty and injustice around the globe.

Lyon founded World Hope International in 1996 to empower the world’s most vulnerable children and their families. Her deep commitment to humanitarian work and her exemplary leadership have been instrumental in shaping the success and impact of the organization. Lyon’s return to the helm of the board of directors marks a significant milestone in the organization’s ongoing mission to serve the most vulnerable children and their families.

“World Hope has been my life’s work, and I’m humbled and excited to return to the board,” said Lyon, “There’s so much more to be done in bringing hope and healing to the world’s most vulnerable. I’m eager to work alongside this incredible team to continue the mission we began so many years ago.”

Today, Lyon is general superintendent emerita and ambassador of The Wesleyan Church. She currently serves as the vice chair of the board of the National Association of Evangelicals Executive Committee. She has previously served on boards such as Bread for the World, National Religious Partnership for the Environment, Asbury Theological Seminary Board, the Council on Faith of the World Economic Forum, and others.

Lyon holds a master’s degree in counseling psychology with continued Graduate Studies in Historical Theology and has been granted five honorary doctorates. She is the recipient of various awards including the 2016 World Methodist Peace Award and National Immigration Forum 2017 Keeper of the American Dream Award. She has participated in various multi-faith dialogues over the past years including the Abrahamic Dialogue with Religious Leaders of Iran and most recently the first Multi-Faith Conference in Saudi Arabia. When she served as CEO of World Hope International, Lyon expanded its work to alleviate suffering and injustice into more than 30 countries.

Lyon and her husband, the Rev. Wayne Lyon, live near Indianapolis. They have four children and 10 grandchildren.

About World Hope International

World Hope International is a non-profit humanitarian organization that works with vulnerable and exploited communities to alleviate poverty, suffering and injustice around the globe. We endeavor to bring opportunity, dignity and hope to families and communities through market-based, community-driven solutions, as well as providing emergency disaster response. Our programs focus on three main areas—bringing clean water and energy solutions, offering health care, nutrition and disease prevention; and by protecting the most vulnerable in our world from being abused and exploited.