Ruth Messinger

Ruth Messinger served as President of American Jewish World Service, an international human rights and development organization, from 1998 to 2016, and is currently the organization’s inaugural Global Ambassador. Ms. Messinger’s 18-year presidency at AJWS began after a 20-year career in public service in New York City as a city council member and Manhattan Borough President.  Under Ms. Messinger’s leadership, AJWS grew exponentially—granting more than $270 million to promote human rights in the developing world and launching campaigns to end the Darfur genocide, reform international food aid, stop violence against women and LGBT people, end land grabs and respond to natural disasters around the globe. A social change leader and advocate, Ms. Messinger works in the faith-based advocacy arena and is also, now, a social justice consultant, facilitator and instructor with various organizations.  She is married to an educator, has three children, eight grandchildren and two plus great grandchildren.