July 26, 2016
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Washington, D.C., July 12, 2016 — Friends of the Global Fight Against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Friends) announced today that Chris Collins has been named President, effective Sept. 6. Mr. Collins brings more than 20 years of experience in HIV/AIDS advocacy and policy to Friends. He currently serves as Chief of the Community Mobilization Division at UNAIDS.
Mr. Collins will lead Friends’ work to educate, engage and mobilize U.S. policymakers and influencers in support of global programs to treat and prevent HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria, particularly through advocacy for the Global Fund and U.S. bilateral programs. Global Fund-supported programs have saved more than 17 million lives in over 140 countries to date.
“Friends’ Board of Directors is thrilled to welcome Chris, who brings remarkable experience in HIV policy and a passionate commitment to global health advocacy,” said Jonathan Klein, Board Chair of Friends and Co-founder and Chairman of Getty Images. “Chris’ energetic leadership will be essential to Friends’ work to support steadfast U.S. commitment in the fight to end AIDS, TB and malaria as epidemics for good – a global goal that is crucial to protecting national security, promoting economic growth, and saving and improving millions of lives worldwide.”
Prior to joining UNAIDS, Mr. Collins served as Vice President and Director of Public Policy for amfAR, where he defended global AIDS funding and worked to advance domestic HIV policy and global key populations programming. Before amfAR, Chris helped drive the creation of the first comprehensive U.S. National HIV/AIDS Strategy; helped develop and managed the International Treatment Preparedness Coalition (ITPC) Missing the Target series of reports on global HIV treatment scale up; and co-founded and served as Executive Director at AVAC: Global Advocacy for HIV Prevention. As appropriations staff to Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) in the 1990s Chris designed the first legislation to provide incentives for development and delivery of vaccines against HIV, TB and malaria. He holds a master’s degree in public policy from Harvard University.
Chris joins Friends as global health advocates prepare to unite for the Global Fund’s Fifth Voluntary Replenishment Conference, taking place Sept. 16 in Montreal, Canada. The Global Fund partnership is asking global leaders to pledge $13 billion for the 2017-2019 funding cycle. For every $100 million contributed, 2.3 million HIV, TB and malaria infections can be averted, and $2.2 billion will be spurred in long-term economic gains.
“I’m honored to join Friends in working toward continued, robust U.S. investments in global health,” Mr. Collins said. “The U.S. government, with bipartisan support, has played a transformative role in the fight against HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria, both as the largest contributor to the Global Fund and through successful bilateral programs. These investments have literally changed the course of the most devastating infectious disease epidemics, and payed off enormously for the health of millions and for the humanitarian and diplomatic interests of the U.S. I look forward to working with partners to continue advocating for strong investments, which will be critical to saving millions of lives and ending these epidemics.”
FRIENDS OF THE GLOBAL FIGHT AGAINST AIDS, TUBERCULOSIS AND MALARIA
Friends of the Global Fight works to end the worldwide burden of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. We educate, engage and mobilize U.S. decision makers to support the Global Fund, the world’s largest public health financier. For more information about Friends of the Global Fight, visit www.theglobalfight.org.
###