|   Posted: June 20, 2018


COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – June 20, 2018 – Compassion International today announced the appointment of Elizabeth Uriyo as the ministry’s newest senior vice president. Uriyo will lead Compassion’s Global Leadership Office, responsible for facilitating the organization’s high-level strategy, organizational design and structure as well as its global communications efforts.

Most recently, Uriyo served as Compassion’s senior director of business support for its Global Program Division. Prior to coming to Compassion, Uriyo led a team of designers and inventors for the Kellogg Company, working in their research, quality and technology function. She also served as vice president of research and development at Cargill Company.

“I’m thrilled that Elizabeth is joining our global executive team,” said Compassion president and CEO, Santiago “Jimmy” Mellado. “She is a highly-respected and proven leader, who brings a wealth of professional experience. God has clearly been preparing Elizabeth’s heart and honing her skills for a global leadership role of this nature for many years, and I’m deeply thankful she has chosen to continue investing her talents toward releasing children from poverty in Jesus’ name.”

Uriyo was born in Tanzania and spent much of her childhood in Nigeria before moving to the United States. She holds her MBA from the University of Chicago, Booth School of Business; a Ph.D. and master’s degree in Grain Science and Industry from Kansas State University; and a bachelor’s degree in Food for Business and Industry from Marymount College in New York.

“I am honored to begin my next chapter at Compassion,” said Uriyo. “I deeply respect Compassion’s global executive team and look forward to using my God-given gifts and experiences to compliment the great work Compassion is doing.”

About Compassion International

Compassion International is a Christian child development organization working to release children from poverty in Jesus' name. Founded in 1952, Compassion partners with more than 8,500 local churches in 29 program countries to deliver spiritual, economic, social, and physical care to over two million babies, children, and young adults in poverty. Ranked No. 12 in Forbes' America's Top Charities List in 2022, Compassion is a founding member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability and an accredited charity with the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance. For more information, visit compassion.com or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.