As you may have heard last Friday, I will be assuming the role of President of Refugees International on April 1. I am very excited to join the hard-working staff and board of RI and return to my true passion: public service.

This feels like a natural next step for me, and I am grateful to Refugees International's Board of Directors for giving me this extraordinary opportunity. Although I have enjoyed my last six years at the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), I have spent most of my life working on behalf of underserved people. During my time as a member of Congress and as the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, I was committed to fighting hunger and poverty, improving nutrition, and upholding civil rights.

I've been working in Washington for awhile and I am eager to share with my friends and colleagues the numerous needs of refugees -- not just food, but other basics as well. It's alarming to me that thousands of people living in squalid conditions in refugee camps are struggling to feed their families, find clean drinking water and send their children to school. Yet, they never lose hope for a better future.

Their stories -- along with the ones that Refugees International staff hear when they meet with people in places like Iraq and Sudan -- are filled with more drama, fear and hope than any movie I've seen.

However, Refugees International does more than just tell these stories and spotlight problems. RI finds real solutions for these people by making sure that governments and international agencies change policies for refugees, respond to needs and fill the gaps. This is not only the right and moral thing to do, but it is in the world's best interest. If we want to see lasting stability in places like Iraq, Pakistan or the Congo, we cannot ignore the needs of displaced people.

I know this transition comes after a difficult time for the organization. Ken Bacon's death in August was clearly a terrible loss. I met Ken years ago, and I admired his wisdom, generosity and above all, his optimism in the face of the world's biggest challenges. It is a privilege to follow him into this position and I promise to continue strengthening the organization he cared about so deeply.

Refugees International has spent the last 30 years witnessing refugees' needs first-hand, promoting solutions and successfully prompting action from the world's leaders. This is important work and none of it would be possible without your support. I look forward to bringing my passion and experience to this cause. Together, we can be an even more powerful voice for lifesaving action.

If you'd like to learn more about me, you can read my biography at www.refugeesinternational.org/president.

Have something you'd like to share with me?  Send me an email at ri@refugeesinternational.org.