Veena O'Sullivan has been appointed as Tearfund's International Director and started in the role overseeing Tearfund’s international work on the 19th of July.
Veena is from India, but will be based in Cork, Ireland, where she lives with her family. In taking up the responsibility of the role of the International Director, Veena will also spend a significant amount of time in regional offices. Veena first joined Tearfund in November 2000 as desk officer for India. Subsequently, she led Tearfund's HIV work globally, the global responses in peacebuilding and ending sexual and gender based violence and the organisation’s team of ‘thematic support’ experts. Most recently, she led Tearfund’s regional programmes in Asia.
Tearfund CEO, Nigel Harris, said:
"We were blessed with an outstanding shortlist of candidates, but believe that Veena's love of Tearfund, commitment to integral mission, passion for the church and expertise shaped by twenty years within Tearfund make her the ideal choice for this role. She brings a vision to the role that will be hugely exciting in this next season."
Veena O’Sullivan said:
"This pandemic season has brought huge challenges for people living in poverty all around the world. During this time the global church has shown its incredible capacity for generosity, hospitality and compassion. But even before Covid-19, at Tearfund we knew the strength of this grassroots network of faith based communities playing key roles as caregivers, educators and activists. Faith leaders have a unique opportunity to use their sphere of influence to speak up against injustice and for those living in poverty. Tearfund’s approach involves equipping and partnering with churches and communities who, like us, are determined to see an end to extreme poverty and injustice. It’s a privilege to play a part in this vital work."
ENDS
For further information or interview requests call the Tearfund Media Team on 020 3906 3131 or email [email protected]. For out of hours media enquiries please call 07929 339813.
Notes to editors:
Tearfund is a Christian charity that partners with churches in more than 50 of the world’s poorest countries. We tackle poverty through sustainable development, responding to disasters and challenging injustice. We believe an end to extreme poverty is possible. Tearfund is also a member of the Disasters Emergency Committee. For more information about the work of Tearfund, please visit www.tearfund.org
