The Board of Directors of The Union has announced the unanimous confirmation of José Luis Castro as Executive Director. The Executive Director is the chief executive of the organisation, responsible for directing day-to-day operations, fundraising and strategic partnerships.
“There are few responsibilities that are more important—and demanding—than delivering solutions to health challenges impacting millions of people living in poverty,” said Dr E Jane Carter, President of The Union. “José is a trusted leader who brings decades of management and organisational development experience to The Union, along with a proven record of solving complex public health problems in challenging environments.”
Mr Castro is a leader in the management of large-scale public health programmes and operations. He has served The Union as Interim Executive Director since June 2013, during which time he has strengthened the organisation’s financial base, internal and external communications operations and human resources function. He joined The Union’s senior management team in 2001. As Director of Finance and Development, he helped grow The Union’s annual budget from US$4 million to US$54 million.
Mr. Castro pushed The Union forward by designing an effective international grants management infrastructure that made possible the rapid implementation of FIDELIS, the first major TB case-finding programme designed to accelerate the identification of TB patients and provide linkages to diagnosis, as well as the Bloomberg Initiative grants programmes focusing on tobacco control. These initiatives reach into nearly 100 countries. Since 2001, he has been instrumental in the success of key projects such as the Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use, and others.
Before joining The Union, Mr Castro advised the World Health Organization and the Government of India on the implementation of the Revised National TB Control Programme and served as Director of Operations for New York City's Bureau of TB Control at a time when that office confronted the biggest epidemic of multidrug-resistant TB in US history. The programme he helped build is still used for tuberculosis control in New York City.
In 2004, Mr. Castro established the World Lung Foundation in New York. He also serves on several boards, including the editorial board of the Journal of Health Management. He is a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Society for Training and Education. He holds a Masters of Public Administration degree from the University of Pennsylvania. In recognition of his achievements, he was awarded an honorary doctorate in 2005 from Pace University.
“I am honored and humbled to continue serving the staff and members of a global organisation delivering solutions to some of the world’s most urgent public health challenges, with a focus on helping those living in poverty,” said José Luis Castro. “I have profound respect for The Union’s diverse members, who for nearly a century have stood at the forefront of the global fight against tuberculosis, lung disease, tobacco use and other major killers. As I assume the role of Executive Director, my team and I will work hard to lead The Union in a way that is focused and inclusive, and that secures a future for the organisation that is every bit as distinguished as its past.”
Mr Castro assumes his responsibilities as Executive Director effective immediately.