2026 PQMD Global Health Policy Forum: Full Schedule

During this extended lunch, participants are invited to join a timely conversation on the evolving health landscape across the Middle East. Drawing on frontline experience and recent leadership perspectives, the discussion will explore how health systems are responding to ongoing conflict, displacement, and disruption in the region, and what it takes to sustain access to care in rapidly changing conditions. This session will be led by high level experts from the field and will offer space to engage and contribute to the dialogue.

Speakers

Dr. Firass Abiad (VIRTUAL SPEAKER)

Former Minister of Health, Republic of Lebanon

Firass Abiad is the former Minister of Public Health of Lebanon, from September 2021 to February 2025. Prior, he was the chairman of the board and general manager of the Rafik Hariri University Hospital, the largest public hospital in Lebanon. During his tenure, he led the efforts... Read More →

Sean Carroll

President & CEO, Anera

Sean Carroll is Anera’s president and chief executive officer. Sean oversees a wide range of programs that reach refugees and vulnerable families in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon and Jordan, from educating out-of-school Syrian youth and bringing water to under-served communities... Read More →

Dr. Rand Salman

Health Program Director (Palestine), Anera

Dr. Rand Salman is a distinguished medical doctor specializing in Community Medicine with a subspecialty in Epidemiology. She currently serves as the Health Program Director at American Near East Refugee Aid (Anera), where she leads strategic initiatives to improve health outcomes... Read More →

Matan Sivek

Chief Strategic Partnerships Officer, IsraAID

Wednesday April 29, 2026 12:45pm - 2:00pm EDT
Gallery | Well& by Durst

OPEN

4:20pm EDT

Announcements & Transitioning Break

Wednesday April 29, 2026 4:20pm - 4:30pm EDT

The Bryant | Well& by Durst @ 151 W 42nd St, New York, NY 10036, USA

Wednesday April 29, 2026 4:20pm - 4:30pm EDT
The Bryant | Well& by Durst

OPEN

6:30pm EDT

Forum Dinner

Wednesday April 29, 2026 6:30pm - 8:30pm EDT

Vintage Green Rooftop @ 303 Lexington Ave 16th Floor, New York, NY 10016, USA

Wednesday April 29, 2026 6:30pm - 8:30pm EDT
Vintage Green Rooftop

OPEN

8:00am EDT

Networking Welcome

Thursday April 30, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am EDT

Gallery | Well& by Durst @ 151 W 42nd St, New York, NY 10036, USA

Participants reconnect over tea and coffee.

Thursday April 30, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am EDT
Gallery | Well& by Durst

OPEN

10:40am EDT

Break

Thursday April 30, 2026 10:40am - 11:00am EDT

Gallery | Well& by Durst @ 151 W 42nd St, New York, NY 10036, USA

A brief pause for networking and refreshments.

Thursday April 30, 2026 10:40am - 11:00am EDT
Gallery | Well& by Durst

OPEN

12:45pm EDT

Leadership Lunch Experience - Paths to Making an Impact in Global Health

Thursday April 30, 2026 12:45pm - 2:15pm EDT

The Bryant | Well& by Durst @ 151 W 42nd St, New York, NY 10036, USA

Senior leaders share candid reflections on their careers in global health.

Speakers

Michael Anderson

CEO, MedAccess

Michael Anderson, CB is CEO of MedAccess, a non-profit social enterprise dedicated to improving access to essential health products and medical innovations. Drawing on $200m capital provided by British International Investment, MedAccess has used innovative finance to improve access... Read More →

Sean Carroll

President & CEO, Anera

Katie Dain

Chief Executive Officer, NCD Alliance

Katie Dain is Chief Executive Officer of NCD Alliance, a global network of civil society organisations dedicated to transforming the fight against non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Katie has worked with NCD Alliance since its founding in 2009 and is widely recognised as a leading... Read More →

Pat Garcia-Gonzalez

CEO, The Max Foundation

For more than 28 years, Pat Garcia-Gonzalez, CEO and Cofounder of The Max Foundation, has dedicated herself to improving the lives of cancer survivors around the world. A native of Argentina, Pat has a master’s degree from the University of Washington and a technical degree in... Read More →

Pape Amadou Gaye

CEO, Baobab Institute

Pape Amadou Gaye is a leading figure in public health and international development. With over 40 years' experience, he has established himself as a visionary leader, committed to social justice, health equity and the empowerment of local actors in Africa.

Of Senegalese origin, he began his career with the US Peace Corps, before working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Los Angeles Olympic Committee. He holds an MBA from the University of California at Los Angeles, which reinforces his ability to combine... Read More →

Jimmy Kolker

Ambassador [retired]

Jimmy Kolker is a Global Health Diplomat and retired U.S. Ambassador. Ambassador Kolker served as Assistant Secretary for Global Affairs at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) 2014-17. In this role, he was the Department’s chief health diplomat, representing the... Read More →

Joy Phumaphi

Executive Secretary, African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA)

Joy Phumaphi is a former Minister of Health of Botswana; former Assistant Director General at WHO; and Former Vice President & Head of Human Development Network at the World Bank. She chairs the Botswana National Gender Commission and is Board Chair of the Rollback Malaria Partnership... Read More →

Stewart Simonson

Senior Advisor, Global Health Strategies

Stewart Simonson is a senior adviser with Global Health Strategies in New York City. From 2019 until 2024, he was the World Health Organization (WHO) representative at the United Nations. Previously, Simonson was assistant director-general for general management at WHO Headquarters... Read More →

Dr. Peter Singer

Professor Emeritus, University of Toronto

Dr Peter Singer is a leader in global health and innovation, with over 35 years of experience in building innovative institutions with high social impact. He is currently a board member of Grand Challenges 🇨🇦 and the Azrieli Foundation, and Professor Emeritus at University of... Read More →

Craig Williams

CEO-Partner; CEO, Flagship Pioneering; Apriori Bio

Craig Williams joined Flagship Pioneering in 2023 as Operating Partner and CEO and President of Apriori Bio. Apriori Bio is a leading health security company with a mission to provide humanity with variant-proof protection against rapidly-evolving viruses.

Prior to Flagship, Craig spent more than two decades at GSK and ViiV Healthcare. During his time at GSK, Craig was charged with developing business strategies, managing operations and driving sales for vaccines and therapeutics globally, helping to launch over 15 vaccines and medicines

... Read More →

Thursday April 30, 2026 12:45pm - 2:15pm EDT
The Bryant | Well& by Durst

OPEN

6:00pm EDT

Optional Social Meet-Up

Thursday April 30, 2026 6:00pm - 8:00pm EDT

Clinton Hall @ 16 W 36th St., New York, NY 10018, USA

Join colleagues for an informal no-host meet up at Clinton Hall to continue the conversation.

Thursday April 30, 2026 6:00pm - 8:00pm EDT
Clinton Hall

OPEN, Social Event

1:00pm EDT

5:15pm EDT

8:00am EDT

10:55am EDT

12:45pm EDT

4:20pm EDT

6:30pm EDT

8:00am EDT

10:40am EDT

12:45pm EDT

6:00pm EDT

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