Brunswick, GA, September 16, 2024 – Chris Palombo, a Presidential Leadership Scholar (PLS Class of 2018), recently took the reins as President and CEO of MAP International, a global health nonprofit organization based in Brunswick, Georgia.

As a Presidential Leadership Scholar, Palombo joined a group of mid-career professionals who were dedicated to honing their leadership skills with the purpose of solving real-world problems in their own communities, countries, and across the world. Palombo gained valuable experience through the PLS program, interacting with former presidents, key administration officials, and leaders in business and academia.

For his personal leadership project in the PLS program, Palombo worked with Jon Rosmann (Cohort 20/21) to accelerate the work of Charitable Pharmacies of America, an association with the vision to widen medication access for the vulnerable within the United States. Palombo and Rosmann celebrated Charitable Pharmacies of America being merged into the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics in 2023.

“Throughout his entire career, Palombo has consistently championed the cause of the medically underserved, both domestically and internationally,” says Suan Roeder, Board Chair for MAP International.

Palombo began his career as a missionary and chaplain, then moved into the healthcare space where he focused his efforts on developing infrastructure that serves low-income populations by reducing cost, expanding access, and improving outcomes.

Prior to joining MAP International, Palombo served for 13 years as the CEO of Dispensary of Hope, a charitable organization dedicated to increasing medication access for uninsured patients in the U.S. He shares MAP’s passion for increasing global healthcare access and is uniquely equipped to help the organization expand its reach across the world.

“Being part of PLS has opened up relationships, learnings, and confidence that I used to grow domestic medication access,” says Palombo. “Today, I am applying those same resources to global health, where MAP International looks to accelerate its partnerships with global drug manufacturers and distributors, reaching the planet’s most vulnerable with life-saving medications. I am deeply appreciative to PLS for the investment into my leadership.”

About MAP International

MAP International is a leading global non-profit humanitarian organization whose goal is to provide medicine for all people. With a strong legacy of humanitarian service spanning 70 years, MAP International continues to evolve and innovate in its mission to make the world a better place for everyone across the globe. Visit MAP.org for more.

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