David Beasley is Executive Director of the World Food Programme, and a former Governor of South Carolina. At WFP, Mr. Beasley is putting to use four decades of leadership and communications skills to mobilise more financial support and public awareness for the global fight against hunger. These efforts were recognised when the Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded WFP the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize. Throughout his career, he has worked across political, religious and ethnic lines to champion economic development, humanitarian assistance, education, and intercultural and interfaith cooperation. He is a recipient of the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award. Mr. Beasley attended Clemson University and then transferred to the University of South Carolina, where he received his bachelor’s and law degrees. He has also taught at the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government. He was first elected to public office at the age of 21 as a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives. He is married to the former Mary Wood Payne and is the father of four children.