Jim Hershey concluded 26 years of regional and global market development leadership when he retired as WISHH executive director on Oct. 19. Hershey has accepted the assignment to be ASA/WISHH's Chief of Party (CoP) for the newly launched USDA Food for Progress-funded CAST project in Cambodia. Effective Oct. 22, Liz Hare took the reins as WISHH executive director.

Hershey and his wife will move to Phnom Penh within the next few months. "Under new leadership, WISHH will continue to connect trade and development in partnership with the U.S. soybean industry, our customers and the public sector, such as USDA and USAID," said Hershey. "As the CAST CoP, I will be able to help build a vibrant aquaculture value chain in Cambodia while expanding agricultural trade for soy, including from the U.S. One of the best parts of this new assignment is the continuing relationship with so many outstanding colleagues, farmers and industry partners."

"Jim has been the steady hand guiding WISHH since its inception and his commitment to the soy family is to be commended," said ASA CEO Ryan Findlay. "It is the demonstrated results in program planning, execution and evaluation, which make Liz an excellent fit for the executive director role of WISHH."

Hare joined WISHH in 2011 and has held multiple positions within the organization, including program manager of the FEEDing Pakistan aquaculture program, director of the Latin America division, and most recently, deputy director.  Prior to joining WISHH, Hare lived and worked throughout Latin America. In Washington, D.C., she served as a policy assistant in a Senate office. She received her bachelor's degree in International Studies and Psychology from Saint Louis University and her master's in development, management and policy from Georgetown University.