Global Lyme Alliance (GLA), the Lyme and tick-borne disease nonprofit dedicated to research and education, announced that Peter Willner has been named Chief Executive Officer. Willner, a Fairfield resident, has more than 30 years of experience in top management positions in the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors.
Before joining GLA last month, Willner served for 12 years as National Executive Director of the American Friends of Hebrew University (AFHU), a leading nonprofit supporting Israeli higher education and research. Prior to AFHU, he held executive positions with the Anti-Defamation League and UJA-Federation of New York.
“We are very fortunate to have a CEO of Peter’s caliber and experience join us to oversee all of GLA’s exciting activities and drive our growth,” said GLA Chairman Robert Kobre. “We are grateful that Peter chose to join the fight against Lyme disease.”
During his tenure at AFHU, Willner oversaw eight regional offices, set organizational strategy, and increased its funding dramatically. Under his leadership, the organization’s fundraising grew from $18 million in 2002 to $50 million-$70 million annually.
At GLA, Willner will direct overall strategy, operations and fundraising to raise awareness and promote research developments in diagnostics and treatments with the ultimate goal of finding a cure for Lyme and tick-borne diseases.
Global Lyme Alliance was formed earlier this year through the merger of Lyme Research Alliance (LRA) and Tick-Borne Disease Alliance (TBDA), two of the most influential voices on Lyme and tick-borne diseases. Willner now wants to build on their successes and develop an infrastructure “based on the vision and hard work of the founders of both organizations,” he said, adding: “I see GLA widening its scope with a variety of fundraising activities, more foundation giving, building an endowment to sustain research and more.”
The organization will hold its Global Lyme Alliance Inaugural New York Gala dedicated to “Uniting for a Lyme-Free World” on Oct. 8 at Cipriani, 42nd Street, 110 East 42nd Street, New York City.
For more information, go to GlobalLymeAlliance.org.
