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Meet Stephen Lack: Starkville’s Global Humanitarian Hero

Community members work together to support global humanitarian efforts.

News Summary

Stephen Lack from Starkville is making significant global contributions through his role with the U.N. High Council for Refugees. By connecting donors with pressing needs, he facilitates essential donations and supports humanitarian operations in crisis-stricken areas worldwide. His personal journey, influenced by experiences in Iraq and rigorous academic training, fuels his commitment to global service. Lack exemplifies the spirit of compassion, making a difference from his home base in Starkville, as his efforts inspire not only international aid but also the next generation.

Meet Stephen Lack: Starkville’s Global Humanitarian Hero

In the heart of Starkville, a local resident is making a big difference on a global scale. Standing tall at 6-foot-4 with auburn hair and a beard, Stephen Lack blends a passion for international development with a talent for building connections. Originally from New Orleans and raised in Kingsport, Tennessee, Lack now serves as an associate private sector partnerships officer with the U.N. High Council for Refugees (UNHCR).

Connecting Donors with Needs

What exactly does Lack do? His role involves facilitating gifts-in-kind, which means he helps gather donations such as goods and services from individuals and organizations in the U.S. These items are then deployed to areas around the world that are in dire need. Since joining the UNHCR in September, Lack has been busy supporting operations in 16 different countries, including Brazil, Lebanon, Mauritania, Panama, and even Ukraine amidst its ongoing crisis.

Making a Significant Impact

One of Lack’s proud achievements includes the facilitation of a massive sea shipment of 40 containers from Dubai to Port Sudan, demonstrating his exceptional ability to connect resources with those who need them the most. His commitment to global service extends well beyond borders; it places him on the frontline of humanitarian efforts.

Inspiration from His Background

So, what drives such dedication? Lack’s interest in international affairs was heavily influenced by his father’s work in the oil and gas industry, coupled with his deployment to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. This experience opened Lack’s eyes to the complexities and challenges faced by people in conflict zones. During his father’s time in the Middle East, Lack had the opportunity to travel and see firsthand the realities on the ground.

A Journey Through Education

Lack’s academic journey also shed light on his path. He attended the University of Southern Mississippi (USM), where an international studies program inspired him. Thanks to a remarkable professor, he found a platform to explore his passion further. He went on to earn a master’s degree in migration and refugee studies at American University in Cairo. Notably, he also holds a minor in Arabic from USM, which may just be a rare achievement within the program’s history.

Career Steps and Challenges

His path wasn’t always seamless. Lack began his career in development at Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans, where he created the Refugee Employment Services program. He later shifted gears to a fundraising position at Mississippi State University‘s Bagley College of Engineering and then took on the role of lead fundraiser for the College of Business. Throughout his journey, he has faced biases against individuals from Mississippi, yet he finds more common ground with people from diverse backgrounds than with those from elite Ivy League schools.

Family Life and Remote Work Balance

Married to his wife, Anna Catherine, for nearly a decade, and a proud father of two young children, Hodson and Shellie Lou, Lack balances his professional and personal life from the comfort of his home in Starkville. The normalization of remote work during the pandemic has allowed him to engage with international affairs without sacrificing family time.

A Student of Humanity

Lack’s focus on global issues has sparked interest in his children too. Inspired by watching a report on humanitarian needs, 6-year-old Hodson expressed a desire to help a child in need, offering his own $5. This gesture shows that the seeds of empathy are already being planted in the next generation.

A Heart for Humanitarian Work

Working in humanitarian crises comes with inherent dangers, particularly in conflict-stricken areas like Lebanon, where the UNHCR is actively aiding Syrian refugees. Lack possesses personal experience with such turmoil, having witnessed bombings while dining near the Lebanese-Israeli border with his father. This reality drives his passion for humanitarian work, and he takes pride in being part of significant responses to global crises.

Starkville’s Own Humanitarian Advocate

As Stephen Lack continues to facilitate impactful partnerships and support operations in some of the world’s most critical regions, he embodies the spirit of compassion and service at the core of humanitarian work. From Starkville to the world stage, he is indeed a local hero making ripples in every corner of our global community.