Kiwanis International names executive director

Indianapolis-based Kiwanis International on Friday named longtime staff member Stan Soderstrom its executive director.

Soderstrom has been the interim executive director since October, when Rob Parker left the organization of service clubs.

Soderstrom, 50, will lead Kiwanis as it chooses its next Worldwide Service Project, which will enlist 600,000 adult and student members to raise millions for a single cause. The 18 members of Kiwanis’ International Board of Trustees are in town this week partly to hear presentations from four organizations vying for the organization’s support.

Soderstrom joined the Kiwanis staff in 1997 and most recently held the position of chief impact officer, focusing on the growth of youth and adult leadership-development programs, as well as strategic planning for two youth organizations, Key Club and Circle K.

During his tenure, Soderstrom also has led the introduction of new service clubs for elementary school children and adults with disabilities.

Kiwanis has seen adult membership in the United States decline since the early 1990s, while interest is growing in Europe and Asia and among high school students worldwide.

Kiwanis said Soderstrom’s salary is still being negotiated. Parker, his predecessor, earned $237,488 in the year ended Sept. 30, 2008.