Ofer Glanz. Photo: Metzilah.

Ofer Glanz—previously an NGO, telecommunications and software executive—will take over as director of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee’s (JDC) Former Soviet Union department, the humanitarian organization announced Tuesday.

The executive director of Israel’s Metzilah Center for Zionist, Jewish, Liberal and Humanist Thought, Glanz succeeds Asher Ostrin, who served in the position for 21 years and is moving to a different senior role at JDC.

Glanz’s global experience has spanned Russia, Ukraine, India, Israel, and China, JDC noted in a press release.

“I am honored to become part of the JDC team, understanding full well the responsibility and impact that this wonderful organization has on Jewish lives across the former Soviet Union,” Glanz said in a statement. “Having seen this work first-hand, and growing up knowing the name of ‘the Joint,’ I am looking forward to furthering JDC’s mission in a region with pressing challenges and extraordinary opportunities.”