Storella Joins Church World Service Board
Ambassador Mark Storella, Professor of the Practice of Diplomacy; Director, African Studies Center, has been welcomed alongside Dr. Samuel Mwende, CEO and General Secretary of the Christian Health Association of Kenya, as new members to the board of directors at Church World Service (CWS). The official announcement on January 18, 2024, highlighted this significant addition to the leadership team of CWS, a renowned humanitarian organization with a global footprint dedicated to supporting the world’s most vulnerable populations since its establishment in 1946.
Storella’s association with CWS dates back to the early 1990s when he collaborated with the organization in Cambodia. Drawing attention to CWS’ exceptional standing in the humanitarian sector, Storella emphasized its vital role as one of the nine key partners of the U.S. government in the resettlement of refugees. During his tenure as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees, and Migration at the Department of State, Storella worked closely with CWS. His admiration extended to the Refugee Support Center (RSC) in Nairobi, where he witnessed firsthand the organization’s operations. The RSC in Nairobi plays a crucial role in guiding U.S.-bound refugees from sub-Saharan Africa through the intricate resettlement process, offering specialized cultural orientation and English language programming to prepare them for their new lives in the United States.
Expressing pride in his new role on the board alongside Dr. Samuel Mwende, Storella highlighted Mwende’s position as the CEO and General Secretary of the Christian Health Association of Kenya, an organization dedicated to improving health across Africa.
In his statement upon joining the board, Storella conveyed deep admiration for CWS’s global humanitarian efforts and its pivotal role in facilitating refugee resettlement in the United States. He expressed his honor in contributing to CWS, recognizing the organization’s people and mission.
Beyond his involvement with CWS, Storella is also a board member of the Norwegian Refugee Council-USA, underlining his commitment to humanitarian causes. The Norwegian Refugee Council is recognized as one of the largest and most effective humanitarian organizations globally. Mark Storella’s multifaceted engagement in these prominent humanitarian boards reflects his dedication to making a positive impact on a global scale.
Ambassador Mark C. Storella was a United States Foreign Service Officer for over three decades serving as Ambassador to Zambia, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees, and Migration, and Dean of the Leadership and Management School of the Foreign Service Institute. Storella is a recipient of the Presidential Rank Award, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Excellence in Service Award, the Thomas Jefferson Award presented by American Citizens Abroad, and several Department of State superior and meritorious honor awards. Learn more about Ambassador Storella on his faculty profile.