November 6, 2023
Former Congresswoman and global health champion Ileana Ros-Lehtinen joins Friends Board
Washington, DC – Friends of the Global Fight is pleased to announce that former U.S. Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) joined its Board of Directors.
“It’s an honor to welcome former Representative Ros-Lehtinen to our Board,” said Chris Collins, president and CEO of Friends. “A long-time champion of global health, the congresswoman has supported multiple reauthorizations of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) since the program began. She joined colleagues in calling for increased U.S. support for the Global Fund. Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen brings intricate knowledge of the legislative process and truly invaluable experience and expertise. We are thrilled that she will be joining Friends’ board.”
A native of Cuba, former U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen served for almost three decades as a member of Congress representing diverse areas in South Florida. She was the Chairwoman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). She also served on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and was a member of the CIA Subcommittee and the National Security Agency and Cybersecurity Subcommittee. Rep. Ros-Lehtinen holds multiple education degrees, including a doctorate from the University of Miami, master’s and bachelor’s degrees from Florida International University, and an associate’s degree from Miami Dade College. She began her career as a Florida certified teacher and then founded and served as the principal of a private bilingual elementary school.
Ros-Lehtinen was the first Hispanic woman elected to Congress, as well as to the State of Florida House of Representatives and Senate. She and her husband, Dexter Lehtinen, have four adult children and nine grandchildren.
“Rep. Ros-Lehtinen’s knowledge, experience and commitment are indispensable as we continue our work to end the AIDS, TB and malaria epidemics,” said Jeffrey L. Sturchio, Friends’ Board chair and past chairman and CEO of Rabin Martin, a global health impact consultancy. “We welcome her warmly and look forward to working together.”
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ABOUT FRIENDS OF THE GLOBAL FIGHT AGAINST AIDS, TUBERCULOSIS AND MALARIA:
Friends of the Global Fight Against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria advocates for U.S. support of the Global Fund, and the goal to end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. For more information about Friends of the Global Fight, visit www.theglobalfight.org.
ABOUT THE GLOBAL FUND:
The Global Fund is a partnership designed to accelerate the end of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria as epidemics. As an international organization, the Global Fund mobilizes and invests more than US$4 billion a year to support programs run by local experts in more than 100 countries. In partnership with governments, civil society, technical agencies, the private sector, faith-based organizations and people affected by the diseases, we are challenging barriers and embracing innovation. Learn more at https://www.theglobalfund.org/en/overview.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Rachel Irwin
(202) 912-3822