PATH welcomes four new members to its Board of Directors
PATH is excited to announce four new members to our Board of Directors: Dr. Boitumelo Semete-Makokotlela, Dr. Raman Rao, Prof. Heidi J. Larson, and Karin Finkelston.
"We are honored to welcome and work with our new board members, who complement the priorities in the PATH Strategy 2025 so well,” said Beth Galetti, Chair of PATH’s Board of Directors. “With these outstanding leaders joining our board, we will continue to drive innovation and forge partnerships that address complex health challenges and create sustainable impact in communities around the world.”
The new board members bring diverse expertise and experience in biotechnology, vaccines, multilateral and cross-sector resource mobilization, and multidisciplinary public health strategy. Read more about each new board member below:
Dr. Boitumelo Semete-Makokotlela
Dr. Boitumelo Semete-Makokotlela is the CEO of the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority. With extensive experience in health technology innovation, Dr. Semete-Makokotlela has held pivotal roles, including Executive Director at CSIR Biosciences and General Manager of R&D and Innovation at The Innovation Hub. She holds a PhD in Biochemistry, an MSc in Finance and Investment, and a BSc (Hons) in Genetics. Her contributions to health research and biotechnology are well-recognized, including her leadership in the African Union Strategy for Health Research and the World Health Organization Expert Panel on Scaling Health Innovations in Africa.
Dr. Raman Rao
Dr. Raman Rao is the CEO of Hilleman Laboratories. He brings over 22 years of experience in vaccine research, development, and commercialization. Previously, Dr. Rao served as Vice President of Global Product Operations at Takeda, enhancing the company’s global product portfolio. He holds an MD from the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research in India and has significantly contributed to vaccine development for influenza, cholera, dengue, norovirus, and Zika. His advisory roles include positions with the International Vaccine Institute and the World Health Organization.
Prof. Heidi J. Larson
Prof. Heidi J. Larson, PhD, is an anthropologist with roles at the University of Washington's Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, and as a visiting professor at the University of Antwerp and KU Leuven. She is Founding Director of the Vaccine Confidence Project and has extensive experience in vaccine hesitancy and public health communication. Prof. Larson has held leadership positions at UNICEF, Gavi, and in World Health Organization advisory groups. Recognized by the BBC as one of the 100 most influential women globally, she has made significant contributions to global health.
Karin M. Finkelston
Karin M. Finkelston has over 30 years of experience in international finance and development. She has held senior leadership roles at the World Bank Group, including International Finance Corporation (IFC) Asia Pacific Vice President, Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency VP and COO, and most recently IFC Partnerships, Communication, and Outreach VP. Karin has led high-performing global investment, advisory, and corporate teams, focusing on structuring investments, mobilizing finance, and building advisory programs in challenging markets. Prior to joining the World Bank Group, Karin was a Vice President at Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company (now part of JP Morgan) and a manager at Barents Group.