John Hewko, General Secretary, Rotary International

New role: On July 1, Mr. Hewko, 53, will assume his new role as chief executive of the international service organization, which has its headquarters in Evanston, Ill. More than 33,000 Rotary clubs operate around the world, and together they have 1.2 million members.

Background: He served as a vice president at the Millennium Challenge Corporation, a government agency established in 2004 to deliver U.S. foreign assistance, where he was the chief negotiator on foreign-aid agreements with 18 countries totaling $6.3-billion. Before that, Mr. Hewko was a partner at the international law firm of Baker & McKenzie, spending much of 15 years with the firm living and working abroad.

His agenda: While his top priority is Rotary’s longtime goal of eradicating polio, Mr. Hewko says he would also like to bolster the group’s role in international development. “I’d like to see Rotary viewed not just as an organization that gives out money but as a critical player that contributes thoughts and ideas on how to effectively promote sustainable economic development in the world,” he says. He’d also like to help Rotary find creative ways to attract new members, especially young people.

Education: Mr. Hewko earned a bachelor’s degree in government and Soviet studies from Hamilton College, in Clinton, N.Y., and a master’s degree in modern history from Oxford University. He also holds a law degree from Harvard University.

Salary: $350,000

Languages spoken: English, Ukrainian, Russian, Portuguese, Spanish, and Czech