Pathfinder International Announces President Daniel Pellegrom's Retirement
Begins Global Search for Successor
WATERTOWN, Mass., Jan. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Pathfinder International announces the retirement of Daniel Pellegrom, the longest-serving president of a global reproductive health organization in history. Pellegrom's passionate advocacy for reproductive health rights and gender equity advanced Pathfinder's work in some of the world's most vulnerable communities. During his 26 years as president, the organization expanded the scope and reach of its programs, and grew its annual budget from $8 million to $100 million. In 1996, Pathfinder became only the second US-based organization to receive the United Nations Population Award for its commitment to family planning.
"Pathfinder's work has reached millions of people in more than 100 countries. I feel privileged to have been a part of that," Pellegrom said. "Though my time with Pathfinder is coming to an end, the characteristics that have always made Pathfinder unique—our commitment to ensuring that every person has access to reproductive health care, our innovative work in some of the most impoverished and hard-to-reach places, and our promise to fight important moral and legal battles—will not change."
Six members of Pathfinder's Board will conduct a thoughtful, comprehensive search for Pellegrom's successor. Russell Reynolds, a leading executive search firm, will advise Pathfinder throughout this process.
"We know we'll never be able to replace Dan, and we don't want to. His leadership, passion, and experience are unparalleled. At the same time, we look forward to finding a dynamic leader who will increase the success of the past 26 years, who will respect the underlying spirit of the organization, and who will also bring new ideas and approaches," said Cynthia Fields, the chair of the board of directors.
Pathfinder is seeking candidates who demonstrate a steadfast commitment to the organization's mission, as well as the skills necessary to position Pathfinder for continued growth in an ever-changing and complex world. Pellegrom is committed to serving as Pathfinder's President until his successor is in place, so that the leadership transition is entirely seamless.
"It's a significant change, but it wasn't unexpected," said James Schwartz, the vice chair of the board of directors and the chair of the executive search committee. "Dan considered this decision very carefully. He had open discussions with our board throughout the process. We are very grateful for his long-term leadership at Pathfinder. He has been with us for more than half of the organization's existence. We congratulate him on an extraordinary career and wish him the very best in his retirement."
Pathfinder International is a global leader in reproductive health, whose mission is to ensure that people everywhere have the right and opportunity to live a healthy reproductive life. Pathfinder believes that reproductive health is not only a basic human right, but critical for expanding life opportunities for women, families, communities, and nations. Pathfinder provides women, men, and young people a range of essential health services—from contraception and maternal care to HIV prevention and AIDS care and treatment. For more than 50 years, Pathfinder has strived to expand access to family planning, ensure availability of safe abortion services, advocate for sound reproductive health policies, and, through all of our work, improve the rights and lives of the people we serve.
SOURCE Pathfinder International
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