National 4-H Council Announces Appointment of Executive Director, Innovation and Impact

Don Mohanlal to lead Council's investment in high-quality positive youth development programs  

CHEVY CHASE, Md., Oct. 31, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- National 4-H Council has named Don Mohanlal as its new executive director, Innovation and Impact effective January 15, 2014. In this role, Mr. Mohanlal will be responsible for advancing Council's investments and partnerships with the Cooperative Extension System and the United States' 109 land-grant universities, as well as independent, country-led 4-H programs from around the world.    

"We are excited to welcome Mohan to Council's executive leadership team," said Donald T. Floyd, Jr., president and CEO, National 4-H Council. "Mohan is a champion of young people and proven leader," added Floyd. "Given his vast experience, I am confident he will be instrumental in accelerating National 4-H Council's plans to empower millions more young people to step up and meet the challenges of a complex and changing world." 

Mr. Mohanlal brings more than 30 years of international experience building and leading organizations dedicated to addressing some of the planet's most pressing social challenges—including health, environmental and economic issues. Most recently, he served as president and CEO of The Nand & Jeet Khemka Foundation, a philanthropic foundation based in New Delhi. The foundation's mission is to help develop the country through initiatives focused on climate change, school-based leadership, social entrepreneurship and rural development.

Previously, Mr. Mohanlal was the executive vice president and managing director of the International Youth Foundation (IYF) based in Baltimore, Md. He was instrumental in building the organization from a start-up to one of the most recognized youth serving organizations. While at IYF, he established a global network of youth-centered foundations in over 60 countries, supported by several major companies including Lucent Technologies, Nike, Nokia and Kellogg Company. 

Mr. Mohanlal also partnered with Finnish President Martti Ahtissari to establish the first Balkan-wide organization, Balkans Children and Youth Foundation. He set up the first international partnerships for youth development in Israel, Jordan and Palestine. His work in Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia included assembling a coalition of youth organizations to lead one of the largest youth-related HIV/AIDs prevention programs.

"4-H's expertise in agricultural innovation and youth leadership programs allows it to provide millions of young people in developing nations with the skills needed to build a sustainable future," said Mr. Mohanlal. "As someone who has worked tirelessly to champion youth development, I am extremely honored and excited to be joining an organization like 4-H at this time."

In his role at Council, Mr. Mohanlal will partner with members of the executive and senior leadership teams, colleagues at the United States Department of Agriculture and U.S. based land-grant universities as well as partner countries and global businesses to significantly increase participation in life-changing 4-H positive youth development programs.

He serves on several boards including the World Bank Advisory Council of Global Foundation Leaders and is a member of the advisory board of the Indian School of Business, Centre for Emerging Market Solutions. 

Mr. Mohanlal received his MBA from the Indian School of Business.

About 4-H
4-H is a community of seven million young people around the world learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills. National 4-H Council is the private sector, non-profit partner of the Cooperative Extension System and 4-H National Headquarters located at the National Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA) within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). In the United States, 4-H programs are implemented by the 109 land-grant universities and Cooperative Extension through more than 3,000 local offices serving every county and parish in the country. Outside the United States, 4-H programs operate through independent, country-led organizations in more than 50 countries.

Learn more about 4-H at www.4-H.org, find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/4-H and Twitter at https://twitter.com/4H.

SOURCE National 4-H Council