PATH names Mr. Nikolaj Gilbert as President and CEO

Media contact: Lindsay Bosslet | media@path.org

December 4, 2019 – Today, PATH announced that its Board of Directors has unanimously chosen global development leader Nikolaj Gilbert as the organization’s next President and Chief Executive Officer to lead PATH’s global efforts to accelerate health equity through innovation and partnerships.

Mr. Gilbert will join PATH on January 6, 2020, and will also serve as the Managing Director of Foundation for Appropriate Technology in Health (FATH), PATH’s Swiss subsidiary. He comes to PATH from his post as global partnerships director for the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS). He brings broad experience in innovation, health, peacebuilding, humanitarian aid, and development solutions. He also brings a deep understanding of the global development ecosystem and the underlying causes of health inequities at all levels—from the global perspective to local, in-country needs. Mr. Gilbert has a proven track record of success in both the public and private sectors in building new and innovative programs and diversified funding models. His expertise in bringing sectors together will bolster the signature partnerships that PATH builds to solve the world’s most pressing health challenges.

Prior to joining UNOPS, Mr. Gilbert worked at Novo Nordisk, a global pharmaceutical company. He worked across corporate strategy, public-private partnerships, business development, global marketing, and medical affairs. Mr. Gilbert started his career at Accenture, a global management consulting firm. He is a Danish citizen, has worked in many countries, and speaks several languages.

Mr. Gilbert will succeed outgoing President and CEO Steve Davis, who has led PATH through significant growth and evolution for over seven years. Mr. Davis announced his decision to step down earlier in 2019, after which the Board conducted an extensive global search for his successor.

“We are thrilled to welcome Nikolaj to PATH. He is deeply committed to PATH’s mission and unique ability to move humanity forward through innovation and partnerships. As a leader at the United Nations’ operational arm, UNOPS, he demonstrated exactly the vision, leadership, and global experience that will enable PATH’s outstanding team to continue what we do best—transforming bold ideas into sustainable solutions that improve health and well-being for everyone,” said Dave King, Executive Chairman of Laboratory Corporation of America® Holdings (LabCorp) and Chair of PATH’s Board of Directors.

Ms. Grete Faremo, Executive Director of UNOPS, appreciates the selection of Mr. Gilbert to lead PATH into the future. She noted, “Nikolaj is a strong leader with the skill and passion for improving health systems, communities, and lives. He has a demonstrated ability to build partnerships that enable measurable progress against global health and development goals, and to bring partners from business, government, philanthropy, and nonprofits together. I congratulate Nikolaj and look forward to seeing how PATH’s achievements will continue to grow through his leadership.”

“PATH is a truly unique development organization with a clear goal of achieving health equity. I am honored and humbled to join. I look forward to working every day with like-minded partners and donors and our dedicated and talented teams to bring health innovation and solutions to the people we serve—from the laboratory to local communities, from science to action on the ground,” said Mr. Gilbert.

Under Mr. Gilbert’s leadership, PATH will continue its work that reaches more than 150 million people every year. Mr. Gilbert will lead PATH’s global team in efforts to accelerate health equity through a portfolio of hundreds of projects operating in more than 70 countries. He will oversee a full-time staff of nearly 1,400 across PATH’s offices in 22 countries.

PATH is a global organization that works to accelerate health equity by bringing together public institutions, businesses, social enterprises, and investors to solve the world’s most pressing health challenges. With expertise in science, health, economics, technology, advocacy, and dozens of other specialties, PATH develops and scales solutions—including vaccines, drugs, devices, diagnostics, and innovative approaches to strengthening health systems worldwide. Learn more at www.path.org.