It’s a pleasure to announce that Mr. Derek Mitchell will serve as the new Director of the Unitarian Universalist Holdeen India Program (UUHIP) effective August 1, 2011. For the last nine years Derek has studied and researched inIndia, exploring the causes of social transformation and engaging in strategic planning and evaluation with non-governmental organizations and advocacy groups. Derek recently served for nearly three years as the Philips Talbot Fellow of theInstituteofCurrent World Affairs. He traveled throughoutIndia, extensively researching the challenges that impoverished communities face through globalization and economic change. This broad exposure has made him a trusted adviser to foundations and research institutions concerned about social and economic transformation inIndia. With a degree in Religion fromColumbiaUniversityand experience working with the Gandhi Peace Foundation as a Fulbright Scholar, Derek brings with him a spiritual and philosophical understanding of the complexities surrounding social change inIndia. Additionally, Derek has worked with current UUHIP Director, Kathy Sreedhar, for the last three and a half years and has subsequently built close relationships with current UUHIP partners, informing his deep understanding of the program’s approach to social justice and organizational support. As announced last Fall, Kathy Sreedhar will continue to work for UUHIP in a part-time capacity beginning July 1, 2011 and retire from the UUA on June 30, 2012. Please join the UUA in welcoming Derek into his new position!