February 26, 2026 (Des Moines, IA) — The World Food Prize Foundation announced today the appointment of David Cook, president-designate of Iowa State University, to the Foundation Board of Directors.
“President-designate Cook brings a strong record of leadership at a land-grant institution and a deep understanding of the role research universities play in advancing innovation, economic development and global food security,” said Paul Schickler, Chair, World Food Prize Foundation, Board of Directors. “His experience strengthening academic excellence, expanding research capacity and building strategic partnerships will be a tremendous asset to the Foundation. As we continue to uphold Dr. Norman Borlaug’s vision, leaders like President-designate Cook help ensure the Foundation remains a catalyst for collaboration and practical solutions to end global hunger.”
The Board of Directors assures the financial integrity of the Foundation by adopting the budget and assuring that the Foundation’s activities conform to that budget. The Board also selects Foundation officers—who serve on the Board— and the members of the Foundation’s Council of Advisors. Each Board member serves a three-year term, and as Cook joins, outgoing Iowa State University President Wendy Wintersteen will be ending her term.
Cook is the 17th president-designate of Iowa State University, set to begin his tenure on March 1, 2026. He currently serves as the 15th president of North Dakota State University, a land-grant institution he has led since May 2022, where he has focused on stabilizing enrollment, increasing student retention and graduation rates, expanding research funding and strengthening community and industry partnerships.
“I am honored to be selected to serve on the World Food Prize Foundation Board of Directors and support its mission to end global hunger,” said Cook. “As a land-grant university, Iowa State also is deeply committed to this work. I look forward to building on our strong partnership with the World Food Prize Foundation to advance research, education and collaboration, and inspire the next generation of leaders and innovators who will help solve this grand challenge.”
An Ames native and Iowa State alumnus, Cook earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and speech communication from Iowa State University and both a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in organizational communication from the University of Kansas. Before his presidency at North Dakota State, he held leadership roles at the University of Kansas, including vice chancellor for public affairs and economic development, and also held several leadership roles at the University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City.
As a faculty researcher, Cook has been principal or co-principal investigator on nearly $11 million in external grant funding, published nearly 70 articles and book chapters, and taught more than 25 courses in areas such as health policy and management, organizational communication and strategic marketing.
About the World Food Prize
The World Food Prize is an international award that honors individuals who have improved the quality, quantity or availability of food worldwide. The Prize was founded by Dr. Norman E. Borlaug, recipient of the 1970 Nobel Peace Prize, for his work that contributed to increases in agricultural outputs which was termed the Green Revolution. Since then, the Prize has been awarded to 56 distinguished individuals during the Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue. The Dialogue, also known as the Borlaug Dialogue, is a week of events dedicated to an issue surrounding food insecurity or hunger each year.
