On September 1, 2019, Kimberly Haugstad will join Global Genes as its Chief Executive Officer. Haugstad brings more than a decade of valuable and highly relevant experience as Executive Director and then CEO and president of the Hemophilia Federation of America (HFA) – which grew significantly and earned its reputation as leading patient-centered advocacy, research, education, and policy organization in hemophilia under her leadership.

"We are so excited that Kimberly has chosen to join us," said Global Genes' founder Nicole Boice. "She's led a large rare disease organization through change and growth, in a high-profile condition area with a deeply engaged, diverse community. She understands the connected influences of science, technology, business and policy on rare communities. And she views it all through the lens of a rare disease caregiver."

Prior to HFA, Haugstad built a successful career in business, with particular expertise in organizational development. Her journey into advocacy leadership was inspired and continues to be driven, by her experience as a rare disease (hemophilia) parent. 

"Nicole and the incredible team at Global Genes have built an amazing, caring organization and network of supporters and partners," said Haugstad. "This represents a huge opportunity, and responsibility, to have a bigger and broader impact for patients around the world in addressing a wide range of needs." Speaking to her previous experience, Haugstad stated, "I feel blessed to have spent the past 11 years serving HFA. I'll always be a part of that community. And, in my new role, they'll continue to be a part of mine as well."

"We feel incredibly fortunate to have found Kimberly," said Wendy White, Global Genes' board chair. "We've nearly doubled in size this year, we've launched and will be rolling out a number of important initiatives to better serve patient communities globally, and she brings really important leadership, management and organizational expertise to help us as we scale our impact."

Haugstad's appointment is the culmination of a year-long CEO search after Boice began her transition from CEO in July 2018 to focus on scaling up global partnerships, special projects and development efforts to support continued growth.

"I and the entire board want to thank the Global Genes team for stepping up and going beyond expectations during this transition," White stated. "Their dedication allowed us to take the time needed to find the best candidate to lead Global Genes into the future."