Jeff Rudder
CEO
Jeff joins Edify in May, 2026. He has extensive non-profit management and leadership experience, having spent the previous 27 years on staff with the Young Life Foundation as Executive Director where he built an array of complex giving services for Young Life investors as well as several legacy products designed to propel Young Life decades into the future.
Prior to Young Life, Jeff served as the Director of Sales and Marketing for Innerpack Carolina, a furniture industry related firm in High Point, NC. Jeff also worked in the engineering/construction management fields during and after college. He graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BS in Manufacturing Systems Technology from NC A&T State University in 1989. Additionally, Jeff has served on several non-profit boards including six years on the board of The Classical Academy in Colorado Springs, CO.
Jeff has been married to his wife Candy for over 20 years and they have two young-adult children, McKenzie and Jack. He is a musician having pursued guitar since the age of 15 as well as an avid outdoorsman who can be found fishing in a mountain stream or in search of big-game in the hills of Colorado.
Edify Announces New CEO to Lead Global Mission Into Next Chapter
Press Release
March 9, 2026 — Following a Spirit-led process of prayer and seeking, Edify is excited to announce the appointment of Jeff Rudder as its new Chief Executive Officer. This appointment marks a significant milestone for the organization as it continues its mission to improve and expand sustainable Christ-centered education globally.
The search for a new leader began just before the passing of Edify’s beloved Co-founder and preceding CEO, Tiger Dawson. Tiger was a visionary leader whose zeal for the Gospel and commitment to Flourishing Godly Nations laid a strong foundation for Edify’s global impact. Under his leadership, the organization grew to partner with over 45,000 schools, impacting over 12 million students across Africa and Latin America in fiscal year 2025 alone.
A New Season of Leadership
Edify’s Board of Directors express their full confidence in Jeff’s ability to lead the organization into its next chapter.
Jeff joins Edify with an extensive background in Christ-centered nonprofit 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, as well as several legacy products designed to propel Young Life for decades to come. Additionally, Jeff has served on several non-profit boards, including six years on the board of The Classical Academy in Colorado Springs.
Most importantly, Jeff shares Edify’s core conviction that Christ-centered education can transform lives and ultimately break generations of physical and spiritual poverty. He shares, “I believe in Edify’s mission and vision. 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.”
Board Chair of Edify, Debbie Hall, shares, “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. 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.”