Former Democratic Senate candidate Michelle Nunn is the new CEO of Atlanta-based CARE USA. She replaces Helene Gayle, who led the relief organization for nearly a decade.

In a press release, CARE board chair Paul Jansen called Nunn “an innovative, dynamic leader whose passion for international social justice issues and ability to energize people around a mission will help CARE connect more Americans to the movement to end extreme poverty.” Jansen says Nunn was selected after a global search that turned up “many terrific candidates.”

Before entering politics, she was CEO of the Points of Light Foundation.

Nunn lost last year’s Senate election to Republican David Perdue. She is the daughter of former Georgia Senator Sam Nunn.

Tags: michelle nunn, CARE USA