The World Soy Foundation (WSF) announced today the selection of Nathan Ruby as Executive Director to lead the charitable organization effective January 4, 2010. Ruby brings more than 10 years of non-profit experience to WSF’s humanitarian efforts that provide much-needed soy protein to people in developing countries around the world.

"We are excited to have Nathan Ruby join the World Soy Foundation at a time when the many nutritional benefits of soy protein are needed more than ever," said WSF Board Chairman Roy Bardole, a soybean farmer from Rippey, Iowa. "The World Soy Foundation can play an important role in countering the sobering statistic that world hunger reached an historic high this year with one-in-six people being undernourished."

As WSF Executive Director, Ruby will lead WSF’s work to develop sustainable solutions to build healthy, thriving communities worldwide. He will direct the organization’s fundraising and development plans, administrative operations, including fiscal management, and public relations efforts from the American Soybean Association’s (ASA) headquarters in St. Louis. Ruby previously served as the major gifts manager for the Nuts, Bolts and Thingamajigs Foundation based in Rockford, Illinois. From 2003-2006, he was the associate director for planned giving at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Foundation in Chicago.

Since the roll out of WSF in 2006, ASA’s World Initiative for Soy in Human Health (WISHH) program Executive Director Jim Hershey has served as the executive director of both organizations. With the addition of Ruby, Hershey will be able to solely focus on WISHH’s activities that build demand and markets for U.S. soy products in developing countries. Some of the work WISHH did in its early years was humanitarian in nature. WSF expands on that experience.

The World Soy Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization managed by the American Soybean Association, works collaboratively with humanitarian organizations, corporations, public and private foundations, international organizations, U.S. and international governments, and individuals to deliver soy protein and nutrition education to people in developing nations. More information is available at www.worldsoyfoundation.org.