Richard Stearns (World Vision)

Stearns earned a bachelor's degree from Cornell University, where he joined the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity and studied neurobiology,[3] and an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.[4]

Stearn's professional career began in marketing with the Gillette Company in Boston. From 1977 to 1985, he held various roles with Parker Brothers, culminating in his appointment as president in 1984.[5] In 1985, he became a vice president at The Franklin Mint. He joined Lenox in 1987 as president of Lenox Collections, and was named president and CEO of Lenox, Inc. in 1995, overseeing three divisions, six manufacturing facilities, 4,000 employees, and $500 million in annual sales.

In June 1998 Stearns left Lenox to became president of the not-for-profit international relief agency, World Vision Inc., based in Federal Way, Washington.[2][6] As president of World Vision, Stearns was responsible for U.S. operations, which included advocacy, fundraising, and program development, and prioritized the organization's worldwide attention on the AIDS crisis.[6]

Stearns led World Vision from 1998 to 2018.

While Stearns believes that individual Christians and churches have a responsibility to take action to alleviate global poverty,[7] he discouraged unilateral action in which churches launch their own programs around the world. Stearns has argued that churches "think we can somehow tackle [global poverty] using only amateurs and volunteers." He noted that churches hire expert consultants to assist them in managing their local congregations like successful businesses: music, accounting, audiovisual support, counseling, and building construction. He asked, shouldn't Christians do the same to assist with realizing their global mission, which involves them in "tackling complicated problems halfway around the world"? Stearns stated that solving poverty is an incredibly complex problem that it is more like rocket science in its difficulty than people realize.[5]

Stearns and the World Vision Board made a decision in 2014 to no longer prohibit employment of members of same sex marriages, and after criticism by Southern Baptist Convention leader Albert Mohler, the policy decision at World Vision was reversed.[8]

Stearns has written op-eds on global poverty and AIDS for major U.S. newspapers and magazines, and has appeared on CNN, Fox, ABC, NBC, and PBS. Examples include his op-eds Evangelicals and the Case for Foreign Aid in The Wall Street Journal,[9] and The Face of America Should Meet the Face of Poverty in the Seattle Times.[10]

Stearns published the book Lead Like it Matters to God, with InterVarsity Press in March 2021. In it, Stearns says, among other things, that "success is overrated,"[11] and describes 17 "crucial values that can transform leaders and their organizations."[12]

• CT Staff and Stearns, Richard (October 17, 2006). "Q&A: Richard Stearns, The president of World Vision U.S. on the Global Fund, Free Condoms, and Church-Based Relief and Development Work". Christianity Today. 50 (10): 27. Retrieved November 28, 2021.

• 2007/05 Interview with Guy Kawasaki: "Ten (or so) Questions with Richard Stearns, President of World Vision"