Representatives of the Asia Society announced on Thursday that they have appointed Josette Sheeran, the vice chair of The World Economic Forum, as president and CEO of the institution. Sheeran will take office on June 10.

“Josette Sheeran is a proven executive with a long and successful record of global leadership, and far-reaching diplomatic experience with the nations of Asia,” Asia Society board co-chairs Henrietta Fore and Ronnie Chan said in a joint statement. 

“We are delighted that she will be Asia Society’s next president at this time of continued growth for our organization.”

In the past Sheeran has helped advance global initiatives and agendas such as “Grow Africa,” which has attracted around $4 billion in investment to help end hunger and malnutrition in Africa. In 2011, Forbes magazine named Sheeran the world’s 30th most powerful woman.

Prior to her tenure at the World Economic Forum, Sheeran was executive director of the United Nations World Food Program, where she was responsible for managing the world’s largest humanitarian organization and leading a team of 13,000 people in more than 70 countries.

“Josette Sheeran’s appointment marks the beginning of an exciting new era for the Asia Society, underscoring our leadership in building bridges between the East and West,” said Chan. “She has built a global reputation for the kind of dynamic leadership that will benefit our organization in the years to come.”

The Asia Society is an educational organization dedicated to the global promotion of mutual understanding and strengthening partnerships among peoples, leaders and institutions in Asia and the United States.

By Julie Jackson (juliejackson@heraldcorp.com)