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Global Fund Board Appoints Mark Dybul as Next Executive Director

GENEVA – Today at the 56th Board Meeting of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (the Global Fund), the Board appointed Dr. Mark Dybul as the organization’s next Executive Director. He will begin his four-year term in early 2027.

Dybul, a medical doctor, has extensive experience in global health and development including as former Executive Director of the Global Fund from 2013 to 2017. Earlier in his career, Dybul was instrumental in the development of the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a long-time partner of the Global Fund. He held various roles, including leading the initiative as the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator from 2006 to 2009.

“Mark brings exceptional experience, deep commitment and a proven track record of delivering results in global health,” said Lady Roslyn Morauta, Chair of the Global Fund Board. “He understands the power of this unique partnership and has spent his career finding innovative ways to save and improve lives in the most vulnerable communities. At a time of profound change in global health, his vision and determination will be invaluable as we adapt to new realities and drive further progress toward ending AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.”

Most recently, Dybul has served as a member of the Accra Reset High-Level Panel on global health architecture and governance. He co-founded and serves as the Chief Strategy Officer for Georgetown University’s Center for Global Health Practice and Impact, which brings together governments, researchers and academics to find practical policy applications for the latest health science and technology. Dybul is also a tenured professor of medicine at Georgetown. From 2020 to 2021, he was a member of the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response.

“Mark understands that the future of global health depends on greater country ownership, self-reliance and sustainable health systems,” said Bience Gawanas, Vice-Chair of the Global Fund Board. “Under his leadership, the Global Fund will support countries accelerate this transition while ensuring that the most vulnerable communities are not left behind.”

Peter Sands will continue to lead the organization until the newly appointed Executive Director takes up the role.

“We are deeply grateful to Peter for his leadership through a period of hard-earned progress and exceptional challenges,” Morauta added. “His continued commitment will help ensure that the Global Fund remains focused on delivering its lifesaving mission throughout this period.”

Since becoming Executive Director in 2018, Sands has led the Global Fund through a period of unprecedented global health challenges and transformation, helping the partnership save millions more lives and accelerate progress against HIV, tuberculosis and malaria. Under his leadership, the Global Fund mobilized record levels of financing, invested the largest amount ever in health and community systems, and accelerated the introduction of game-changing innovations such as next-generation malaria nets, new TB tests and long-acting HIV prevention tools.

With this appointment, Lady Roslyn Morauta and Bience Gawanas will hand over to Erna Solberg and Javier Hourcade Bellocq as Chair and Vice Chair of the Global Fund Board. Together with Peter and Mark, they will help ensure a smooth transition and position the Global Fund for continued success in the years ahead.

Against a backdrop of shifting financing realities, rapid scientific and technological advances, and evolving global health priorities, the smooth transition will be key to shaping a bold vision for the Global Fund’s next chapter.

“As incoming Board leadership, Javier and I look forward to working with Mark to build on two decades of success while embracing innovation and new partnerships,” said Erna Solberg, incoming Board Chair. “Together, we will support countries in their efforts to build more sustainable, self-reliant health systems and accelerate progress toward ending AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.”

Today’s announcement culminates the selection process, supported by a global executive search firm, to identify the next Executive Director. Beginning on 4 February 2026, a comprehensive candidate outreach strategy was implemented, to attract a diverse and highly qualified pool of candidates from across regions and sectors.

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Biography – Ambassador Professor Mark Dybul

Dr. Mark Dybul is a Professor in the Department of Medicine at Georgetown University Medical Center, Co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer of the Center for Global Health Practice and Impact, and the Chair of Purpose Africa.

As a physician and executive, Dybul has extensive experience building efficient, effective health programs. He is committed to building strong partnerships across sectors that support sustainable, country-owned, community-based healthcare. Dybul has worked on HIV and public health for more than 25 years as a clinician, scientist, teacher and administrator. He helped create and led the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and served as the Executive Director of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria from 2013 to 2017.