By
Published
March 17, 2026
Allyson Bear, an accomplished public health executive and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health alumna, has been appointed the next president and CEO of Jhpiego, the Johns Hopkins-affiliated global health organization dedicated to improving the health and lives of women and families worldwide.
Bear, who has more than 25 years of experience leading complex, mission-driven health organizations, was selected following a global search. She will assume the role on April 1, succeeding Leslie Mancuso, who has led Jhpiego for more than two decades.
Image caption: Allyson Bear
“Allyson brings to Jhpiego a proven track record in strategic growth, innovation, and resource mobilization across the global health, economic development, and humanitarian sectors, as well as the profound commitment to promoting dignified health care for all that has guided her career,” JHU President Ron Daniels wrote in a message to the Hopkins community today. “I know Allyson’s vision, innovative spirit, and team-oriented leadership style will serve Jhpiego well at this important moment in its history.”
Bear joins Jhpiego from VennHealth, a Baltimore-based public health consultancy that she founded and where she serves as CEO. She earned both an MPH and a DrPH in international health from the Bloomberg School and has worked in more than 45 countries during her career, including 11 years of residence across multiple countries across Africa and Asia.
“As a Johns Hopkins alumna, Dr. Bear brings an insider’s understanding of the university’s mission and culture, combined with the external perspective gained through 25 years of global health leadership,” said Executive Vice Provost Stephen Gange, who chaired the 15-member search committee. “Colleagues who met with her were impressed by her strategic vision, business acumen, and authentic leadership style. She also has a clear understanding of Jhpiego’s mission and the evolving global health landscape, including the realities of challenges such as diversifying funding, localization, and integrating AI and technology in low- and middle-income countries.”
At VennHealth, Bear’s work has included leading a strategic realignment and identifying new funding sources for a large multinational development organization significantly affected by the downsizing of USAID in the first six months of 2025. Earlier in her career, Bear led the development of flagship U.S. government health initiatives at USAID, including the Global Health Initiative, the Ending Preventable Child and Maternal Deaths Action Plan, and the Global Health Security Agenda. Bear has also served in leadership roles at Corus International and Abt Global, where she led large-scale international portfolios advancing equitable health outcomes and driving health innovation at the national and global levels.
Founded in 1973 as the Johns Hopkins Program for International Education in Gynecology and Obstetrics, Jhpiego has long been a leader in maternal and child health around the globe. For more than five decades, Jhpiego has delivered critical care and health care training, supporting populations in Africa, Asia, and the Americas with programs spanning maternal, newborn, and child health; infectious diseases; strengthening health systems; primary health care; global health security; immunizations; family planning; humanitarian assistance; cancer prevention and detection, particularly breast and cervical cancer; and other essential services for families.
“It is a tremendous honor to join Jhpiego and the Johns Hopkins community at this important moment in global health,” Bear said. “Jhpiego has an extraordinary legacy of expanding access to high-quality health care for women and families everywhere. I am excited to work alongside Jhpiego’s remarkable staff and partners who bring this mission to life every day, and I look forward to building on the organization’s strong foundation to strengthen and expand Jhpiego’s impact around the world.”
