Ambassador, global leader and educator, Bob Seiple has spent the last
three decades fashioning humanitarian solutions that endure. His international
travels have been as extensive as the experiences and contacts he
developed through years of global involvement. Vulnerable lives, lived
out in difficult places, have provided the personal challenge for
Seiple's work.
Before founding the Institute
for Global Engagement, Seiple spent two years with the U.S. Department
of State as the first-ever U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International
Religious Freedom. This position, established by the International
Religious Freedom Act of 1998, was created to promote religious freedom
worldwide, promote reconciliation in places where conflict had been
implemented along religious lines and ensure that the religious freedom
issue was woven into the fabric of U.S. foreign policy.
Seiple spent the previous 11 years as president of World Vision, Inc.,
the world's largest privately funded relief and development agency.
In that capacity, he increased the organization's income base from
$145 million to over $350 million per year. Additionally, Seiple guided
the organization to an expanded involvement in advocacy in the worldwide
struggle against poverty and hunger. At his departure, World Vision
was helping more than 70 million people in over 100 countries.
Seiple was born in 1942 in the rural community of Harmony, New Jersey.
He earned an A.B. in American literature from Brown University in
1965. From 1966 to 1969, he served with the U.S. Marine Corps, attaining
the rank of captain. He flew 300 combat missions in Vietnam and was
awarded five Battle Stars, the Navy Commendation Award with Combat
'V', 28 Air Medals and the Distinguished Flying Cross. This experience
motivated him to become an outspoken advocate for the healing of U.S.-Vietnam
relations.
Returning to his alma mater in 1971, Seiple held a number of administrative
positions, including director of athletics and vice president for
development. During a 12-year tenure in his last position, he successfully
directed the Campaign for Brown, the largest fundraising campaign
ever attempted at the university at that time. Seiple was president
of Eastern College and Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary from 1983
to 1987.
In 1994, Seiple was named "Churchman of the Year" by Religious
Heritage America. This inter-faith non-profit organization seeks to
identify and honor outstanding Americans who serve as positive role
models and who are motivated by religious principles and beliefs.
In 1995, he was awarded the Brown University Independent Award, a
doctorate of public service by Gordon College (one of seven honorary
degrees received) and the U.S. Secretary of State's Distinguished
Public Service Award.
Seiple is married to the former Margaret Ann Goebel; they have three
grown children and two grandchildren.