Haggai International Names New Chief Executive
The Atlanta-based nonprofit appoints Staci Thomas as CEO, ending a two-decade leadership era at the global training organization.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in People
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Haggai International has appointed Staci Thomas as its new chief executive officer following a stint as interim leader. The Atlanta-based global nonprofit focuses on training leaders across more than 180 nations.
Why it matters
The transition marks a leadership shift for the organization after two decades of direction under its previous head, testing its operational stability during a new chapter.
Haggai International has equipped 176,000 leaders across 180 nations since its 1969 founding. The appointment follows a 20-year leadership tenure by the predecessor and a 100-day interim period for Thomas.
The players
Staci Thomas
The newly appointed CEO of Haggai International who previously served as the nonprofit's chief operating officer.
Dr. Bev Upton Williams
The outgoing leader who served as the chief of Haggai International for two decades.
Haggai International
An Atlanta-based global nonprofit organization established in 1969 that trains leaders to influence their own nations.
Dr. John Edmund Haggai
The founder of Haggai International who established the organization's operational model in 1969.
The details
Staci Thomas moves into the permanent CEO role after serving as interim head earlier in 2026. Prior to this appointment, she served as the organization's chief operating officer and held a similar operational role at the nonprofit Chosen. The Board of Haggai International finalized the decision, citing her performance and commitment to the mission during the interim period as primary drivers.
Timeline
1969: Haggai International is founded by Dr. John Edmund Haggai.
Early 2026: Staci Thomas begins serving as interim CEO.
October 28, 2026: Staci Thomas is officially named CEO.
Market Landscape
This transition marks the end of the two-decade tenure of Dr. Bev Upton Williams at Haggai International. The move signals a shift in the organization's executive management structure following a long period of consistent leadership.
Operators in the nonprofit sector should monitor how the transition from a long-term leader to a former COO affects service delivery and operational continuity. Success in managing internal pivots often depends on how effectively an organization maintains its established mission during an executive change.
The takeaway
Leadership successions require clear alignment between the board and incoming executives to preserve organizational momentum. Operators should review their own succession planning documents to ensure emergency and permanent leadership transitions remain documented and viable.
Further reading
For more background on leadership shifts, visit People.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Manila times.
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