DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA — FHI 360 announced at its annual board meeting that Edward W. Whitehorne is retiring as Chair of the Board of Directors after 18 years of distinguished service to the organization. The board elected Dr. Paul R. De Lay as the new Chair and Vivian Lowery Derryck as the Vice Chair.
Mr. Whitehorne, an experienced investor with in-depth expertise in informatics, research and development, joined the Board of Directors in 2000 and became its Chair in 2014. He has been instrumental in moving the organization and its mission forward for many years. The impact of his leadership will benefit FHI 360 for years to come.
“Ed Whitehorne’s commitment to FHI 360 and its mission is an inspiration to me and to everyone who works at FHI 360,” said Patrick Fine, Chief Executive Officer of FHI 360. “We are very fortunate to have a distinguished leader like Paul De Lay step up to serve as the Board’s new Chair.”
“As I rotate off the Board of Directors after almost 40 years of association with FHI 360, I reflect on how honored I have been to serve,” said Mr. Whitehorne. “FHI 360 is stronger and more relevant today than it has ever been, and it continues to serve its stakeholders in some of the most resource-poor settings in the world. I leave the organization knowing that it is in good hands with an outstanding Board of Directors and its new Chair, Dr. Paul De Lay.”
Dr. De Lay joined the Board in 2013 and has served as its Vice Chair since 2014. Dr. De Lay is a global health leader based in Alexandria, VA, with decades of experience responding to HIV and AIDS in a variety of countries and contexts.
“I have worked with FHI 360, both in the United States and in country settings, since the late 1980s. During that time, I have come to recognize the high quality of their work and the high professionalism of their staff. I consider it a privilege to serve as Chair for their Board of Directors,” said Dr. De Lay.
Ms. Derryck, the incoming Vice Chair, is the Founder and President Emerita of The Bridges Institute. A veteran foreign affairs specialist who has held numerous positions in both government and the nonprofit private sector, Ms. Derryck joined the Board of Directors in 2013.
Completing her final four-year term is Sandra Lyne Thurman, who joined the Board in 2010. Ms. Thurman is based in Atlanta, GA, where she is the Director of the Joseph W. Blount Center for Health and Human Rights in the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University and Chief Strategy Officer for the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).
FHI 360 is pleased to also welcome two new members to the Board.
Gregory M. Gunn is a leader in using technology, innovation, and angel and venture capital investing to promote progress in education. He is the Co-founder of Lingo Ventures, where he makes early-stage investments in education and workforce technologies. He also serves as an Expert-in-Residence at Harvard University’s Innovation Lab and is on the faculty of the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Dr. Cindy Y. Huang is a foreign policy expert with deep experience in international development. She specializes in issues related to refugees and displacement, fragile and conflict-affected states, gender equality and development effectiveness. Dr. Huang is Co-director of migration, displacement and humanitarian policy and a Senior Policy Fellow at the Center for Global Development.
“FHI 360’s goal is to drive positive change and deliver lasting benefits to societies around the world,” said Fine. “Our Board of Directors offers guidance and insights and assures a high level of accountability, all of which are essential to FHI 360’s success in every way. It’s an honor to work with such a distinguished Board of Directors dedicated to making us a more impactful organization. I am grateful for the phenomenal service of our outgoing board members and look forward to the new ideas and inspiration I am sure we will receive from our two new members.”
FHI 360 is committed to good governance and accountability and follows best practices, including board term limits.
