Episcopal Relief and Development has named Robert Radtke, a scholar in Asian political and socio-economic issues, to be its next president. Radtke, 40, will begin work on July 5 after concluding his term as senior vice president for programs at the New York-based Asia Society. He succeeds Sandra Swan.
During her tenure that lasted six years, Swan led the agency in a major reorganization and in responding to crises including Hurricane Mitch; civil unrest in Kosovo; the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001; and the 2004 South Asian tsunami that has prompted more than $8 million in contributions to ERD.
“I am humbled and thrilled that I have been asked to join in ERD’s important work,” said Radtke, whose father is an Episcopal priest. “Episcopalians everywhere can be proud of what ERD has achieved under Sandra’s leadership, and I am honored to build on her many accomplishments.”
Board chairman, Bishop Harry Bainbridge of Idaho, said Radtke “will help ERD realize its great potential as we move into new territory,”
Radtke’s expertise includes building partnerships for the Asia Society with United Nations agencies, non-governmental organizations, and private funding sources, including the Ford Foundation and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Before working with the Asia Society, Radtke was vice president of the Business Council for the United Nations.
