Women Deliver announces new chair of the board of directors

Women Deliver, a leading global advocate for the health, rights, and well-being of girls and women, announces that Saundra Pelletier has been named chair of its board.

Pelletier joined the Women Deliver Board of Directors in 2013. She is the CEO of two global women’s health organisations, Evofem Biosciences a privately held biotechnology company, and WCG, an international non-profit.

Women Deliver while announcing her name on Monday in New York said she has worked “diligently to deliver sustainable solutions in both the public and the private sector that address the unmet global needs in women’s healthcare”.

"I am honoured to be the next Chair of the Women Deliver Board of Directors,” said Pelletier said in a Women Deliver statement.

“Women Deliver is thrilled to welcome Ms Pelletier to this leadership role,” said Katja Iversen, President/CEO of Women Deliver.

“Girls’ and women’s health and rights are under pressure many places in the world, and there is no better time to have such a dedicated advocate as Ms Pelletier to provide strong and committed leadership. Girls and women continue to deliver, and so does Ms Pelletier,” she said.

Dr Peter Cairo, who previously held the position as Chair of the Board for Women Deliver, will continue “to be an integral part of Women Deliver and an active member of the board”.

The Women Deliver Board of Directors also welcomes two new members: Cecilia García Ruiz, Deputy Director of Public Policy at the Human Rights Commission of Mexico City and 2013 Women Deliver Leader, and Vivian Onano, Youth Adviser for UN Women Global Civil Society Advisory Group and 2016 Women Deliver Young Leader.

These changes to the Women Deliver Board of Directors come as the global landscape continues to shift for girls and women.

“Women Deliver will continue to advocate boldly and unapologetically for the health, rights, and well-being of girls and women, including sexual and reproductive health and rights,” it said.