The Union is pleased to announce the recent appointment of three new members to its leadership team: Dr Adam M Karpati, Senior Vice President for Public Health Impact (based in New York); Dr Ajay Kumar, Deputy Director, Department of Research (based in Bangalore); and Mr Matthew Coghlan, Director of The Union Asia Pacific Office (based in Singapore).

Dr Adam M Karpati has been appointed The Union’s first Senior Vice President for Public Health Impact. In this position based at The Union North America Office in New York City, Dr Karpati will work to improve data management, analysis and dissemination in low- and middle-income countries, while also working to increase The Union’s internal capacity and use of data in order to enhance both our policy and programmatic work.  Dr Karpati comes to The Union from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, where he served as Executive Deputy Commissioner for Mental Hygiene, working to improve systems of care for mental illnesses, substance abuse, and developmental disabilities. Prior to that, he held a number of other positions at the Department, including Director of a community-based office focusing on NCDs and Acting Assistant Commissioner for the Bureau of HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control. He was also a staff epidemiologist in the Department’s Division of Epidemiology. 

Dr Ajay Kumar became one of the The Union’s Senior Operational Research (OR) fellows two and a half years ago and went on to assume responsibility for coordinating the OR initiatives of The Union South-East Asia Office. In this role, he has facilitated 34 courses on OR and data analysis, made regular scientific presentations at national and international conferences and participated in some 80 research projects – 60 of which have been published or are in press. Several of these projects have influenced national policy and practice, including India’s policy to routinely offer HIV testing to all presumptive TB patients and the screening of all TB patients for diabetes. As Deputy Director, he will be involved with the department’s global activities, while continuing to coordinate the programmes in India. Prior to joining The Union, Dr Kumar worked for the World Health Organization’s India Country Office as a consultant assisting the Government of India’s Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme, where he led the TB-HIV co-ordination activities.

Mr Matthew Coghlan has been named the new Regional Director of The Union Asia Pacific Office in Singapore. He is responsible for leading and managing the activities of the office, and also overseeing the development, funding and implementation of The Union’s strategic priorities in the region. An attorney and senior international development practitioner, he brings to The Union expertise in global governance and 10 years of experience in South-East Asia. He formerly worked with Oxfam America on regional advocacy for economic justice, including access to medicines for people living with HIV/AIDS in Thailand. He also served as Managing Director of International Bridges to Justice in Singapore, where he was responsible for leading and managing the Singapore Justice Training Centre, which trained criminal lawyers and justice officials.

“We’re thrilled to have three such seasoned and creative public health professionals in these important roles,” said José Luis Castro, Executive Director. “As we work together to build The Union to its greatest heights, their knowledge and leadership will be invaluable. And with the organisation’s centennial approaching, each brings the commitment and drive that we need to implement a bold strategy that firmly positions The Union as a global public health leader for another century. On behalf of the Board of Directors, Institute and Federation, I am pleased to welcome them to The Union.”