Charles “Chip” Lyons has been named as the new president and CEO of the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, succeeding Pamela W. Barnes. His official start date will be January 4, 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 Dr. David Kessler, Chairman of the Board of Directors.
Lyons currently serves as the Director of Special Initiatives in the Global Development Program at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, leading a learning and grantmaking team that addresses key crosscutting development issues that are central to reducing poverty and creating opportunity. Prior to joining the Gates Foundation, Lyons held several positions at the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), including president and CEO of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, chief of staff to the executive director at UNICEF headquarters, and program officer, UNICEF Mozambique. Lyons has also worked closely with the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), serving on the board and executive committee, and as chair of the executive committee of The GAVI Fund from 2004 to 2006. He serves as a member of the HIV Advisory Committee of Human Rights Watch, and was a co-chair of Rugmark, USA. Lyons holds a bachelor’s degree from Carleton College in Minnesota.
In accepting his new role at the Foundation, Lyons said, “I am delighted to join the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. Its exceptional worldwide reputation and the extraordinary impact it has made in the lives of women and children in those countries hardest hit by the HIV/AIDS epidemic should be applauded. I am honored to continue this excellent work, initiated by Pam Barnes, her team around the world, and the Board.”
