World Concern, the Christian humanitarian agency based in Seattle, has appointed Diane Bricker of Preston, Wash., to the post of Africa Area Director, overseeing relief and development operations in Sudan, Somalia, Chad, Kenya, Zambia, Uganda and Burkina Faso. Diane joined World Concern in 2004 after a long career as an executive in a Seattle-area community bank. At World Concern she's served in a variety of leadership roles, overseeing work in high security regions such as Darfur and Somalia. "Diane has shown a strong set of leadership skills in her past responsibilities and her recent role as interim director," said David Eller, vice president of World Concern. "She has a vision for World Concern Africa that is dynamic with we are going as an organization." World Concern relieves suffering among the world's poorest people, focusing on basic needs, sustainable livelihoods and family stability. Services include disaster aid, food, medicine, education, small business loans - many earmarked for women - and agricultural training. Last year World Concern served 5.6 million people suffering from hunger, HIV/AIDS and hopelessness. For more information on World Concern, check the website at worldconcern.org.