CarterBaldwin Recruits CEO for Edify
April 13, 2026 – CarterBaldwin Executive Search has assisted in the recruitment of Jeff Rudder as the new CEO of Edify. The search was led by Chris Hornsby, Kevin Ung, and Jodi Delikat. “This appointment marks a significant milestone for the organization as it continues its mission to improve and expand sustainable Christ-centered education globally,” Edify said. The search for a new leader began just before the passing of Edify’s co-founder and preceding CEO, Tiger Dawson.
“The board felt God’s confirmation of Jeff as our next CEO for his passion around culture, mission and vision, spiritual and organizational leadership, relationship building, and faith in Christ,” said Debbie Hall, board chair of Edify. “We look forward to welcoming Jeff and are excited for what is ahead as we continue to follow God’s leading and calling of Edify.”
Mr. Rudder joins Edify with an extensive background in Christ-centered non-profit work, organizational leadership, and relationship-first fundraising. Since 2005, he has been the executive director of the Young Life Foundation, building an array of complex giving services for Young Life investors and several legacy products designed to propel Young Life for decades to come.
“I believe in Edify’s mission and vision,” said Mr. Rudder. “The vision of Flourishing Godly Nations is at the heart of how I understand the Great Commission. Doing it with excellence and in a manner that gives faith, education, opportunity, hope, and joy to young people around the world resonates with how I see my personal calling.”
Headquartered in San Diego, CA, Edify works with Christian schools to improve and expand education in developing countries. Edify partners with 46 organizations in 11 countries worldwide, including Burkina Faso, the Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guatemala, Liberia, Northeast India, Peru, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, and Uganda.
Past COO Search
In 2021, CarterBaldwin placed Myles Harrison as chief operating officer for Edify. He joined Edify having extensive strategic and operational experience across four different continents, most recently as international director for London-based Tearfund. There, he led the Christian charity’s international work in approximately 50 countries and managed a budget of $95 million, a staff of 500 and more than 210 partner organizations. He was also responsible for the COVID 19 response in more than 40 countries.
Related: CarterBaldwin Recruits CEO for the American Bible Society
“Following 12 years and a recent season of wonderful growth, Edify needed an operational leader to improve our processes and prepare us for future expansion,” said Mr. Dawson said at the time of the hire. “CarterBaldwin brought us an outstanding slate of candidates from around the world and after a number of rounds of interviews, prayer and much discernment we chose Myles Harrison. I couldn’t be more excited to have Myles join the team! He has great experience, a wonderful skill set and is passionate about Christian transformation. Our experience with CarterBaldwin was more than positive and the results of their search were outstanding.”
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CarterBaldwin is a retained executive search firm that partners with its clients to build senior leadership teams. Since its inception in 2001 as a corporate firm, they have expanded its client portfolio to include the non-profit and academic sectors, serving both domestic and international clients from the firm’s headquarters in Atlanta, GA and our Washington, D.C. office. CarterBaldwin is listed among a variety of rankings published by Hunt Scanlon Media, including its Top 50, Private Equity Power 100, and Top 50 Higher Education Search Firms.
Related: CarterBaldwin Recruits Fourth President for Covenant College
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
