New KI Exec Director

Kiwanis International Names Stan Soderstrom Executive Director

INDIANAPOLIS – January 15, 2010 – The Kiwanis International Board of Trustees today named Stan D. Soderstrom Executive Director of Kiwanis and the Kiwanis International Foundation effective immediately. Kiwanis is a worldwide service organization in more than 70 nations. As Kiwanis’ chief executive, Soderstrom is responsible for supporting the international board, and providing leadership and direction to staff and volunteers for the global organization of both adult and youth members totaling more than 600,000. He will also work alongside Kiwanis Foundation executive leadership to provide grants to thousands of organizations worldwide aimed at making better the lives of children.

Soderstrom joined the Kiwanis staff in 1997, and recently held the positions of Interim Executive Director and Chief Impact Officer. In his previous role, he focused on the successful growth and development of the Kiwanis’ youth and adult leadership development programs around the world, as well as strategic planning and board governance for Kiwanis International and its two youth organizations, Key Club International and Circle K International.

Stan also led the introduction and development of new membership-based service clubs for elementary school children and adults with disabilities. During that time, Kiwanis enjoyed a 75% increase in total paid membership of its youth and young adult clubs’ membership.

He completed undergraduate studies at Texas Tech University and graduate coursework at the University of Texas at Austin.

Stan leads Kiwanis as it searches for its next Worldwide Service Project. The International Board of Trustees this week heard proposals from issue experts and advocates on four potential projects: malaria; maternal and neonatal tetanus; tropical diseases; and education and literacy.

Active in the Kiwanis family since 1974, he was a district officer in both Key Club and Circle K, and would later serve as both a Circle K and Key Club district administrator for the Texas-Oklahoma District.