Jo Anne Lyon

Biographical Information
"Dr. Jo Anne Lyon was elected the General Superintendent of The Wesleyan Church in 2008. Prior to this election she was the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of World Hope International, Inc., a faith-based relief and development organization present in thirty countries around the world. Dr. Lyon has traveled in over sixty countries as a lecturer, performing site assessments and organizing development projects. A licensed professional counselor and an ordained minister of The Wesleyan Church, she had thirty years prior experience in administering domestic urban and rural human service programs as well as local church ministries. Dr. Lyon has been a guest to the White House on several occasions: in 2006 and 2007 for World AIDS Day roundtables, specifically related to World Hope International; in 2000 to engage religious leaders on the confluence of social issues and faith; for anti-trafficking and HIV/AIDS consultations; and has been actively involved in an advisory capacity with the Department of State. Dr. Lyon assisted in launching the Evangelical Environmental Network and represented the signatories of the Evangelical Climate Initiative to the National Press Club and the Senate. She has also participated in many dialogue groups, including several Christian/Muslim dialogues and most recently an Evangelical/Catholic dialogue, "Finding the Common Ground for the Common Good," at Georgetown University. Dr. Lyon holds three academic degrees, five honorary degrees, was an adjunct professor of Church and Society at Asbury Theological Seminary and Indiana Wesleyan University, and is a contributor to several publications. She also serves on the Board of Directors of National Association of Evangelicals, Evangelical Council on Financial Accountability, and Evangelicals for Social Action."

Affiliations

 * Director, National Religious Partnership for the Environment