Foundation Names New President and CEO

Charles "Chip" Lyons has been named the new President and CEO of the Foundation, effective January 2010. "Chip joins the Foundation with a wealth and breadth of expertise that I know will prove invaluable in furthering the mission of our work both here in the U.S. and around the world," said Chairman of the Board Dr. David Kessler. Lyons currently serves as the Director of Special Initiatives in the Global Development Program at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and was the President and CEO of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF.

Lyons will succeed Pamela W. Barnes, the Foundation's President and CEO of nearly five years. To ensure a smooth transition, Barnes will remain as President and CEO of the Foundation until November. Barnes noted, "The next chapter for the Foundation is one full of promise and growth, with a clearly defined and focused mission, unambiguous goals, and the best staff to execute the work." Read the full announcement.

Ambassador Mark Dybul Joins Foundation Board of Directors

Ambassador Mark Dybul, the former United States Global AIDS Coordinator, will join the Foundation's Board of Directors. Dr. Dybul brings with him vast expertise on the implementation of prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV programs in resource-poor settings, having served in critical positions in the U.S. Government and Public Health Service and leading the implementation of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) as the head of the U.S. Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator (OGAC). "We applaud Dr. Dybul's years of dedication to public service," Dr. Kessler said. "We look forward to his support of the Foundation's efforts to further enhance and strengthen our mission to create a generation free of HIV." Read more.

Foundation Leads Key Sessions at International AIDS Conference

Foundation staff members joined some 5,000 fellow leaders in the global HIV/AIDS community at the 5th International AIDS Society (IAS) conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment, and Prevention in July. The four-day conference, held in Cape Town, South Africa, is an opportunity for the brightest minds in the field to discuss developments and advances in HIV/AIDS research. In addition to presenting papers and posters, the Foundation hosted a number of events, including: a workshop on HIV pediatrics, co-sponsored by the U.S. National Institutes of Health; a session on infant feeding practices to reduce mother-to-child transmission of HIV; and a session on the linking of prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) services and HIV care and treatment, sponsored by Johnson & Johnson and co-hosted by mothers2mothers. Read more.

Foundation Makes National AIDS Policy Recommendations

In partnership with several peer organizations, last month the Foundation sent a list of key domestic policy recommendations to the Director of the White House Office of National AIDS Policy, Jeff Crowley. The Foundation urged Crowley to address the prevention, care, and treatment needs of women, infants, and children with HIV/AIDS as his office considers the development of a National HIV/AIDS Strategy. Read the full letter.