PATH Board of Directors:
Board Member Recruitment
Overview and Application Process
I. PATH BACKGROUND Who We Are
PATH is a global team of innovators working to accelerate health equity so all people and
communities can thrive. We advise and partner with institutions, investors, and businesses of all sizes to solve the world’s most pressing health challenges. PATH’s work addresses health problems around the world from multiple angles and reaches more than 150 million people, on average, each year. Pioneering History
PATH was launched in 1977 by three researchers who envisioned a new kind of health organization: a nonprofit that would deliver the expertise, resources, and innovations of private industry to improve health for all. For more than four decades, PATH has been a trusted partner to government leaders, social investors, grassroots groups, and businesses of every size and type. From our beginning, PATH has focused on complementing each partner’s expertise with PATH’s unique strengths to develop, deploy, and scale up innovations that remove roadblocks to health. The model PATH pioneered transformed the way the world thinks about health and development.
A Global Team
PATH’s global team of 1,400+ includes scientists, health experts, business leaders, engineers, advocates, and experts from dozens of other specialties. We work in more than 70 countries and partner with local leaders and communities to transform bold ideas into sustainable solutions that improve health and well-being for all. Sixty percent of PATH employees are in Asia and Africa, 40 percent in Europe and North America. Learn more about the geographies in which PATH works here. PATH develops, introduces, and advances vaccines, drugs, devices, diagnostics, digital tools, and innovative approaches to strengthen health systems worldwide. Our team shapes global
conversations about health and technology, advises ministries of health, trains providers, equips teams of health care workers with effective tools, and works on other fronts to break down barriers to good health. Learn more about the solutions PATH deploys here.
PATH’s Future
Even before the uncertainties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, PATH’s operating environment was evolving rapidly along multiple dimensions. Funders have been challenging global development organizations for some time to provide greater technical expertise, stronger quality assurance, and more rigorous project management as we address difficult health challenges and fill gaps that markets and governments cannot. At the same time, international nongovernmental organizations are being called upon to drive innovation, find new and lower-cost delivery models, adapt to changes in government programs and policies, and develop new approaches in philanthropic strategies. Ensuring that the Board of Directors that oversees PATH’s governance is aware of these pressures and aligned with the future needs of the organization will be essential in contributing to PATH’s stability and continued impact.
II. BOARD OF DIRECTORS OVERVIEW Board Background
Our board members come from and work in every part of the world. We are united in the steadfast belief that when people are healthy, humanity moves forward. Being a board member at PATH provides the opportunity to work with a network of like-minded individuals who are committed to PATH’s mission to advance health equity through innovation and partnerships.
Board Member Role Overview
PATH’s board helps determine PATH’s mission, reviews and approves organizational strategies and goals, and oversees progress in implementing and achieving these strategies and goals. The board oversees and supports risk management, as well as provides governance and fiduciary oversight, including ratifying the organization’s budget each year. The board reviews and assesses PATH’s organizational performance and effectiveness against PATH’s annual dashboard of strategic
objectives. Board members also serve as “goodwill ambassadors” of PATH, participating and assisting with fundraising when able. The board has a duty to ensure the organization pursues its charitable mission in a manner consistent with the highest standards of ethics, integrity, and fairness and in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
Engagement Opportunities and Time Commitment Expectations
Board members are elected for a term of three years and may serve for up to three terms. Members attend four full board meetings per year and commit to engaging meaningfully at meetings and outside of meetings as required. After election and onboarding, board members also have the opportunity to serve on one or more of the board’s committees that align with the member’s interests and the board’s needs. These committees include the Audit, Compensation, Development, Finance, and Governance Committees. Board members can expect the following in terms of time commitment and levels of engagement:
• Quarterly board meetings
- Board members are expected to attend four board meetings each year. There are typically two virtual meetings, one in the first quarter and one in the third quarter. These meetings are two to three hours in length. There are also typically two in-person meetings per year, one in the second quarter and one in the fourth quarter. These meetings usually take place in the United States over two days. Pre-read materials are distributed in advance.
- Board members may be asked for additional input or feedback outside of meetings. - The estimated time required is eight to ten days per year.
• Committee, subcommittee, and ad hoc committee meetings
- After election and onboarding, board members serve on one or more of the board’s committees. Each committee typically meets once per quarter for one to two hours. Pre-read materials are distributed in advance.
- There will be opportunities for members to serve on subcommittees or ad hoc committees as new needs arise. These subcommittees or ad hoc committees could support areas such as strategy development, fundraising, and/or board recruitment.
- The estimated time required is two to four days per year. • Stakeholder engagement
- Board members play a key role in supporting management by helping make connections with potential new partners and bringing expertise to PATH through their networks. - As indicated above, PATH’s board members serve as “goodwill ambassadors” of PATH,
participating and assisting with fundraising when able.
III. BOARD MEMBERSHIP NOMINATION AND SELECTION Eligibility Criteria
The PATH Board of Directors is seeking candidates with experience in one or more of the following areas:
- Desired Experience/Knowledge: Health systems and product development experience in low- and middle-income countries. Knows the inner workings of pharmaceutical research, manufacturing, and downstream commercialization. Strong connections in global health.
- Potential Contributions to PATH: Provide access to network of chief scientific officers and
leading pharmaceutical companies. Advocate for PATH’s involvement in regional and global programs. Provide guidance on the challenges of vaccine sustainability.
• Multilateral development banking or bilateral donor
- Desired Experience/Knowledge: Geopolitical experience in multilateral investment and
partnerships. Experience working with countries to successfully put loans/grants into action and/or involvement in global and regional think tanks and country assistance strategies.
- Potential Contributions to PATH: Expand PATH’s network and introduce PATH to new
potential funding partners.
• Primary health care, public health, or health systems
- Desired Experience/Knowledge: Primary health care experience in low- and middle-income
country governments. Strong established partnerships with institutions in a partner country or region.
- Potential Contributions to PATH: Provide grounded, first-hand experience in the areas in
which PATH works in order to inform PATH’s strategy. Advocate for PATH in regional and country settings. Open opportunities in key strategic geographies.
• Global digital technology
- Desired Experience/Knowledge: Experience with digital/technology applications in low- and
middle-income countries. Understanding of innovative technologies (artificial intelligence, machine learning, storage and database analytics) and information technology, mobile communications, and device solutions.
- Potential Contributions to PATH: Advocate for digital health and sector transformation and
support PATH’s transformation in digital health leadership. Provide access to a network of companies, from start-ups to established companies.
Diversity
PATH’s board is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. This includes striving to have a diverse board in terms of gender, race, ethnicity, and abilities. The board seeks to be representative of the communities where PATH works, where there are the greatest health needs, where PATH is partnering to develop appropriate technologies and solutions, and where key funders are located. Process Overview
The board aims to elect four members over a two-year period. Candidates for the PATH board may be nominated by current board members or members of PATH’s staff. Individuals are encouraged to self-nominate if they feel they have the required skills and experience.
To apply, please submit a resume and letter of interest to board@path.org. To refer a candidate, please submit the following to board@path.org:
• Name and email of prospective candidate
• Link to bio (from professional website or Linked In profile)
Nominations will open on October 7, 2020, and applications will be reviewed as they are submitted. For consideration in Q4 for a January 1, 2021, start date, the application deadline is November 1, 2020. The nomination process will remain open until the four open seats have been filled.
Candidates with strong and relevant applications will interview with a subcommittee of the board, including the Governance Committee Chair and the Board Chair. Finalists will be invited to participate in a quarterly board meeting. At this meeting, absent unusual circumstances, the candidate will be put up for election. If successfully elected, onboarding of new members will take place in the quarter following the election.
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