Emily Sarmiento Named as President & CEO of Tearfund USA
Emily Sarmiento
May 21, 2020 - Today the Board of Directors of Tearfund USA has announced the appointment of Emily Sarmiento as President and Chief Executive Officer effective August 1, 2020. She will become a member of the Board.
Tearfund USA is a Christian relief and development agency, following Jesus to the places of greatest need. It is a member of the worldwide Tearfund family of organizations that responds to disasters, challenges injustice, and helps communities to develop their own potential to overcome poverty.
Emily has worked with Compassion International for the past 11 years, rising to become Senior Director of Program Development in 2018. She brings a wealth of experience in international development, impact strategies, program design and implementation, and executive leadership. Prior to Compassion she worked with Heifer International, Enactus and Convoy of Hope, where she was International Program Director over government grants and disaster response coordination efforts.
Fluent in English and Spanish, Emily holds dual B.S. in International Management and Spanish in addition to a Certificate in Education, from Missouri State University where she was a Presidential Scholar in the Honors College. She later completed a M.A. in Organizational Leadership for International Development as member of a Latin American cohort at Eastern University. She served on the Board of the Accord Network from 2014 to 2017, including as Vice Chair.
Chair of the Board Clive Mather said, “I am simply delighted to welcome Emily to lead Tearfund USA into a new season of growth and development. She brings exceptional professional and personal qualities that are an ideal fit for our mission and ministry. From her early family background onwards she has lived out her faith with a servant heart and profound concern for the poor and marginalized. In her studies and career she has accumulated a wealth of experience from running programs in the field to developing strategies at the top of international organizations. As a Board, we believe God has prepared and equipped her for this new role as our CEO, and we are excited to support her in all that lies ahead.
"Her appointment follows a rigorous process managed by the Slingshot Group.
"I would also like to pay tribute to Jason Fileta who has acted as Interim CEO for the past 9 months. I shall be ever grateful for his willingness to step up and lead the organization at a time when COVID-19 brought many challenges. He has done a first class job and continued to build momentum. He will remain with Tearfund USA as Vice President where he can put his special gifts in marketing and communications to full effect.”
Emily said, “I am humbled and honored to receive the call to join Tearfund USA. In many regards, it feels a homecoming and obvious next chapter in God’s story for me. I have long respected Tearfund’s mission and approach and am excited to bring its message and work to the USA. I especially look forward to building connections to Tearfund programs around the world. It will be a true privilege to serve alongside Clive, the Board, Jason and the rest of the Tearfund USA team.”
Notes
Tearfund is an international Christian relief and development agency.Founded in 1968, Tearfund has been working around the world for over 50 years responding to disasters and helping lift communities out of poverty.
Tearfund USA is a registered US 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with EIN 83-1116586. It was established in 2018 with the aim of inspiring US Christians to generosity and action on behalf of people living in poverty. It seeks to follow Jesus where the need is greatest and to work alongside the local church to overcome poverty and injustice.
For more information about the work of Tearfund USA please visit www.tearfundusa.org.
