Honoring the Legacy of Jo Luck
Jo Luck was a visionary leader whose belief in the power of dignity, education, and sustainable change transformed communities around the world. As the longtime President and CEO of Heifer International, Jo Luck championed a model of development that empowered families—especially women—to create lasting pathways out of poverty. Under her leadership, Heifer expanded globally, touching millions of lives through training, livestock, and community-led development grounded in shared values and hope.
Jo Luck’s legacy is deeply woven into the story of Dr Tererai Trent and the very heart of our work. In 1989, when Jo Luck visited Tererai’s rural village in Zimbabwe, she asked a question that changed everything: “What are your dreams?” It was the first time Tererai had been invited to imagine a different future. With Jo Luck’s encouragement, Tererai buried her dreams in the earth, dreams that would one day lead her across the world to earn her degrees and return to empower thousands of children through education.
Their friendship lasted a lifetime, rooted in mutual respect and a shared belief that every child deserves the chance to dream.