Joy Shigaki to Lead NetsforLife® Inspiration Fund and Church Campaigns

March 25, 2010

Episcopal Relief & Development welcomes Joy Shigaki as the Director of the NetsforLife® Inspiration Fund and Church Campaigns. 

“We are so pleased to have Joy Shigaki at the helm,” said Rob Radtke, President of Episcopal Relief & Development. “She brings a wealth of experience, passion and know-how to the position, and I know she will ensure we collectively achieve the goals of theNetsforLife® Inspiration Fund and subsequent campaigns.”

Originally from Seattle and now in New York, Joy brings over fifteen years of program management, community development and fundraising expertise in the non-profit, government, community and faith-based arenas. She recently served as the Director of Development for the leadership development organization Coro New York Leadership Center. Previously, Joy was the Capital Campaign Manager of the Wing Luke Asian Museum in Seattle, a $23.2 million effort.

She has many years of experience working at the local, diocesan and national levels of the Episcopal Church, particularly as an active member of Diocese of Olympia. Joy also served as a National Episcopal Church Volunteer for Mission at St. George’s Cathedral in Cape Town, South Africa.

“Joy will be a tremendous asset to Episcopal Relief & Development,” said The Rt. Rev. Jeffrey D. Lee, Bishop of the Diocese of Chicago and a strong supporter of NetsforLife®. “Because NetsforLife® has such direct and measurable results, congregations can become easily engaged in the campaign. This effort will be of great significance in the church’s work to stop the spread of malaria.”

In 2009, the General Convention of the Episcopal Church renewed not only its commitment to achieving the Millennium Development Goals, but also specifically committed to raising $5 million in the triennium through Episcopal Relief & Development for NetsforLife®.

Thus, the agency has launched the NetsforLife® Inspiration Fund, a sweeping national effort within the Episcopal Church to eliminate malaria in sub-Saharan Africa. The multi-faceted campaign will include efforts to provide education, increase awareness and raise funds, uniting The Episcopal Church by involving dioceses, parishes, seminaries, schools and individuals at the grassroots level.

To make a contribution to NetsforLife® or for more information, visit www.episcopalrelief.org. You may also contact Joy Shigaki at jshigaki@episcopalrelief.org or call 1-800-334-7626. Gifts can be mailed to Episcopal Relief & Development, PO Box 7058, Merrifield, VA 22116-7058. Please write “NetsforLife®Inspiration Fund” in the memo line of all checks.

Episcopal Relief & Development is the international relief and development agency of the Episcopal Church of the United States and an independent 501(c)(3) organization. The agency takes its mandate from Jesus’ words found in Matthew 25. Its programs work towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals. Together with the worldwide Church and ecumenical partners, Episcopal Relief & Development strengthens communities today to meet tomorrow’s challenges. We rebuild after disasters and empower people by offering lasting solutions that fight poverty, hunger and disease, including HIV/AIDS and malaria.