The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation Welcomes Two New Members to its Board of Directors
Media Contacts:
Johanna Harvey: jharvey@pedaids.org or +1 (202) 280-1657
Racine Tucker-Hamilton: rtuckerhamilton@pedaids.org or +1 (202) 448-8456
Washington, D.C.—Jan. 7, 2014—The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF) is pleased to welcome Christopher Dodd, former U.S. Senator and Justin B. Smith, CEO of Bloomberg Media Group, to its board of directors.
“We are excited to have Sen. Dodd and Justin Smith join our board,” said EGPAF Board of Directors co-chairs Willow Bay and Russ Hagey. “Each possesses strong leadership skills as well as a passion for improving the health of children across the globe. We look forward to their contributions as we continue our mission to eliminate pediatric HIV/AIDS.”
Sen. Dodd served in the U.S. Congress representing Connecticut for 36 years – six years in the U.S. House of Representatives and 30 years in the U.S. Senate. For more than a decade, Sen. Dodd was EGPAF’s leading voice in Congress, authoring landmark legislation to protect children’s health, including the Pediatric Research Improvement Act and the Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act, which increased drug testing and ensured that children have access to safe and effective lifesaving medications. Sen. Dodd also introduced the Global Pediatric HIV/AIDS Prevention and Treatment Act, which focused on increasing the number of women with access to prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) services and the number of children on treatment across the globe. This bill was ultimately included in the final legislation reauthorizing the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) program in 2008.
“Children’s health care, especially pediatric HIV/AIDS, is an issue that has been close to my heart for many years,” said Sen. Dodd. “I am proud to join such a prestigious organization and work with my fellow board members to ensure HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention services are accessible to some of the world’s most vulnerable populations.”
Justin Smith joined Bloomberg Media Group as CEO in September 2013. In his role, Smith leads Bloomberg’s television, radio, magazine, conference, and digital businesses. Prior to joining Bloomberg Media Group, Smith was president of Atlantic Media for more than five years. During his time at Atlantic Media, Smith spearheaded a dramatic transformation through the adoption of a “digital-first” strategy which has led to historic revenue and profit results for the firm. Early is his career Smith worked for the U.S. Department of State in Burkina Faso, where he developed a deep interest and passion for West Africa.
"I am thrilled to be joining the EGPAF Board to help further its mission for improving the health and lives of people around the world, particularly in Africa," said Smith. "I look forward to applying my experience in the digital media industry to EGPAF as it works to achieve an AIDS-free generation."
###
About the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF):
EGPAF is a global leader in the fight against pediatric HIV/AIDS and has reached more than 17 million women with services to prevent transmission of HIV to their babies. It currently works at more than 6,800 sites and in 15 countries to implement prevention, care, and treatment services; to further advance innovative research; and to execute global advocacy activities that bring dramatic change to the lives of millions of women, children, and families worldwide. For more information, visit pedaids.org.
