Mennonite Central Committee U.S. executive director Ann Graber Hershberger has announced her planned retirement in July.

Hershberger began serving as executive director in October 2020 during a global pandemic and MCC’s centennial year. She previously served abroad with MCC and then in board leadership roles.

“Ann has been an effective, humble, thoughtful and engaging leader, offering executive and collaborative guidance during a time of significant crises and disasters across the globe and here in the U.S.,” said MCC U.S. board chair Emerson Lesher. “Most of all, Ann has been an advocate for the way of Jesus and Anabaptist-centered relief, development and peace activities.”

Kevin Malamma, MCC U.S. board member and co-chair of the board of West Coast MCC, will chair the search committee.

The executive director leads MCC throughout the U.S. and, with MCC Canada, shares leadership for MCC’s international programs in more than 40 countries.

Hershberger gave thanks for the chance to serve God through leading MCC U.S. and stressed she is eager to remaining fully engaged over her next 11 months in the position.

“Being part of MCC in this way at the end of my working life has been a privilege I would never have imagined,” she said.

She looks forward to spending more time with her husband, Jim, and their three children and six grandchildren.