The World Food Prize Foundation named Barbara Stinson president of the organization, effective Jan. 4, 2020. She previously served as a co-founder and senior partner of the Meridian Institute, a nonprofit organization that customizes support services in such world challenges as agriculture, climate change, health, science and technology. Stinson spent the last 10 years working on global food security and food safety, emphasizing policies and programs to support smallholder farmers. 

Stinson will succeed Ambassador Kenneth Quinn, who announced his retirement in March after 20 years leading the foundation. She will become the second president since Norman Borlaug established it in 1986. 

“The Board, Council of Advisors and I are delighted Barbara will join the World Food Prize Foundation as our next President. We look forward to her leading the Foundation’s next era as we continue to advance Borlaug’s mission of increasing agricultural productivity and education globally,” John Ruan III, chairman of the World Food Prize Foundation, said in a release. “Based on her impeccable policy credentials, ability to convene diverse groups of people to advance a common purpose, proven business management skills and passion for our purpose, I am confident that Barbara is the right leader to uphold the outstanding reputation of the World Food Prize while expanding the impact of our programs to address pressing global challenges, including nutrition, climate change, water and soil management, gender equity and youth engagement.”

Before Meridian, Stinson worked in the science and public policy program for the Keystone Policy Center. She earned a master’s degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a Bachelor of Arts in environmental conservation from the University of Colorado, Boulder.