Baltimore, MD — Johns Hopkins University has announced the appointment of Dr. Allyson Bear as the next President and CEO of Jhpiego. She will officially assume the role on April 1, 2026.
Dr. Bear brings over 25 years of experience in global health, most recently serving as Founder and CEO of the Baltimore-based public health consultancy, Vennhealth. Her career has been marked by leadership in strategic design and evaluation of large-scale health programs, influencing major global health investments and policy frameworks.
Among her key contributions, Dr. Bear led the revision of USAID’s maternal and child health investment frameworks to align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), evaluated the agency’s flagship maternal and child health program, and designed a $1 billion successor strategy. She also spearheaded the evaluation of USAID’s $3.5 billion Feed the Future nutrition portfolio, generating evidence that informed its Congressional reauthorization.
“The throughline of Allyson’s professional trajectory has been a profound commitment to alleviating human suffering and advancing human dignity and health for all,” said Johns Hopkins University President Ron Daniels in a statement to the university community. “Her experience reflects a strong track record in strategic growth, innovation, and resource mobilization across global health, economic development, and humanitarian sectors.”
Dr. Bear began her career in global market shaping and scale-up initiatives, including work with Gavi’s PneumoADIP and Hib Initiative, where she supported Ministries of Health in vaccine rollout and impact evaluation. Between 2009 and 2015, she served at USAID, leading the development of major U.S. government health initiatives.
She has also held senior leadership roles at Corus International and Abt Associates, overseeing global health and economic development portfolios across West Africa, francophone Central Africa, North Africa, and the Middle East. Over the course of her career, Dr. Bear has worked in more than 45 countries, including 11 years living and working across Africa and Asia.
Outgoing President and CEO Dr. Leslie Mancuso, who has led Jhpiego since 2001, expressed confidence in the leadership transition. “It has been a privilege to lead Jhpiego for the past 25 years, and I am confident in Dr. Bear’s ability to guide the organization forward,” she said. “Her values-driven leadership and commitment to global health make her exceptionally well-suited for this role.”
Dr. Bear succeeds Dr. Mancuso, who announced her planned retirement in 2024. Under Dr. Mancuso’s leadership, Jhpiego has expanded significantly—from a small organization focused on family planning and cervical cancer prevention to a globally recognized health organization operating in 39 countries.
