The board of directors of Mennonite Central Committee U.S. has named Rukshan Fernando as the next MCC U.S. executive director.

Fernando has served as MCC U.S. associate executive director since July 2024. He came to MCC with more than two decades of experience in community development, education, and financial and program management. He begins the new role in July.

“The board is excited that Rukshan both appreciates the history and mission of MCC and can help partner to discern God’s mission for MCC in the years to come,” said board chair Emerson Lesher in a March 23 announcement.

Fernando grew up in Sri ­Lanka during a time of civil war, and much of his family was involved in peacebuilding work — a background that has shaped his personal and professional identity and his Christian discipleship.

He and his wife, Jody, who have two young adult children, live in Lancaster, Pa., and attend Forest Hills Mennonite Church in Leola.

“Rukshan brings a unique set of personal and professional gifts and experiences to the position,” Lesher said. “His strong Christian faith, living for an extended time in different countries, leadership roles in large complex organizations, ability to bring people together and commitment to an Anabaptist approach to relief, development and peace will serve MCC well.

“And he has shown during the last 20 months as associate executive director his ability to build trust among staff as well as the Anabaptist churches that support MCC.”

With a doctorate in community economic development and a background in social work, Fernando has taught nonprofit management to pastors and nonprofit and business leaders.

Over 19 years in Christian higher education, he taught and served in a variety of leadership roles, including as provost of Azusa Pacific University in California.

His nonprofit experience includes work with affordable housing in the U.S. and developing and facilitating trainings on topics such as social entrepreneurship and loans for World Vision in Sri Lanka.

He replaces Ann Graber Hershberger, who announced her retirement to the U.S. board last summer and will retire in mid-July. The board began a search in August that welcomed internal and external candidates and was advertised across a wide array of platforms.

“I have been so thankful for the opportunity to work alongside Rukshan,” Hershberger said. “I’m looking forward to how his leadership will deepen the mission and work of MCC and help to build ever more vibrant partnerships with churches and their leaders that reflect the changing Anabaptist world we live in.

“He brings new and deep energy to MCC. I’m struck by how he resonates with the values and principles MCC has sought to live out for decades and how he will lean into new ways of helping MCC to embody those values in the years to come.”

Lesher said the board was grateful for Hershberger’s “effective, humble, thoughtful, engaging and spiritual leadership. She has been an advocate for Jesus- and Anabaptist-centered relief, development and peace.”