Dear Jhpiego Community,
It is with a deep mix of admiration, gratitude, and bittersweet emotion that I write to you today. After 24 remarkable years of service as President and CEO, my dear friend and our incomparable leader, Dr. Leslie Mancuso, has decided to retire effective July 1, 2025. For the past 15 years, I’ve had the immense privilege of working alongside Leslie, and almost 10 of these as her Advisory Board Chair, and to say it’s been transformative would be an understatement. Leslie has not only been a brilliant visionary and an unstoppable force in global health but also a treasured friend.
When Leslie joined Jhpiego, it had a $30 million budget and just four core health programs. Her ambition and strategic mind have since transformed Jhpiego into one of the world’s most respected global health powerhouses, having operated in over 90 countries during her tenure—currently in 50—and a budget that has reached $420 million. Under her leadership, we now reach over a billion lives through 150 global programs. That number is staggering, but not nearly as awe inspiring as the depth of her impact.
Leslie’s tireless leadership has ensured that women and families across the globe have access to dignified, high-quality care regardless of who they are or where they were born. As a doctor myself, I cannot overlook the way Leslie’s tenure elevated frontline health workers, nurses, and midwives—those whose hands and hearts are closest to the people. She advocated fiercely for their inclusion in decision-making processes that impact the global health landscape. She championed Afghanistan’s first midwifery association, expanded training programs, and introduced groundbreaking innovations that have reshaped the global health workforce.
One of Leslie’s most impressive feats was transitioning the organization’s leadership model from U.S.-based to one rooted in the countries we serve. I’ve watched her travel tirelessly over the years, visiting programs around the world to hear directly from health workers, community leaders, and patients. From this time deeply embedded in programs, she understood the value of local expertise and the critical role of cultural norms within health care decisions. She made bold decisions to center these elements within Jhpiego—which has made us stronger, more adaptable, and more deeply connected to the people we aim to serve. Today, most of our staff hail from the very countries in which they work, and this is thanks to Leslie empowering the very communities Jhpiego serves to take the lead.
Leslie’s focus on gender equality has paved the way for women in global health, both within Jhpiego and in the communities we serve. She championed groundbreaking programs to address gender disparities in leadership and health care delivery, equipping women with the tools and confidence they need to lead with purpose. Her work has not only earned Jhpiego international recognition for gender parity but also created lasting systems that will continue to uplift women for generations to come.
Her influence didn’t stop within Jhpiego’s walls. She masterfully built relationships with government agencies, philanthropic partners, academic institutions, and corporate leaders, forging alliances that have enabled us to save countless lives. From the U.S. Agency for International Development to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to the Gates Foundation, from collaborations with major corporations like Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson—Leslie expanded Jhpiego’s reach and reputation as a trusted global health partner. We stand today on solid ground because of the partnerships she’s built and the innovative funding models she pioneered.
As Leslie’s time at the helm draws to a close, we are reminded that her leadership has built something lasting, something that will continue to serve women, children, and families for years to come. She hasn’t just led Jhpiego—she has embodied its mission, humbly and passionately walking alongside the very people whose lives we strive to improve. Her legacy is woven into the very fabric of Jhpiego and the global health community at large.
On behalf of the Advisory Board, and the entire Jhpiego family, we extend our deepest thanks to Leslie for her service, her friendship, and her unyielding commitment to making the world a better place. While we will make the most of the next nine months under Leslie’s leadership, we know that her impact will continue for decades to come.
Let us join together in celebrating the remarkable career of Dr. Leslie Mancuso and the profound impact she’s had on all of us.
With the utmost respect and gratitude,
Howard C. Mandel M.D., FACOG
Chair, Jhpiego International Advisory Committee