URC is delighted to welcome global health leader Catherine (Cathy) Thompson as Senior Vice President of our Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean (AFR/LAC) Regional Programs.
Earl Gast, URC’s President, welcomes Cathy: “I am delighted to welcome Cathy to URC. Her impressive experience with USAID and USAID implementing partners will make us better at enacting our mission – improving the health outcomes of people worldwide.”
A Path Well Traveled
Cathy brings a wealth of experience that will enhance URC’s programs in those regions. With 30 years of public health experience, more than half of which was spent overseas, Cathy has served in leadership roles with many of our esteemed partners.
Cathy joins URC from Abt Associates, where she ended her decade-long tenure – beginning as an HIV and Infectious Disease Lead – managing their $400 million+ portfolio as Regional Vice President of East, Central and Southern Africa.
Cathy has also worked for FHI360, John Snow, Inc., and USAID, spending more than half her time overseas including in Malawi, Nepal, Namibia, Swaziland, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Joining Forces: People and Positivity
Cathy couples a strong technical acumen in infectious disease, family planning, maternal and child health with proven programmatic, business development, and leadership skills. She is known for using her talent in communication and coordination with diverse networks to strengthen global health initiatives.
Cathy will report to URC’s Executive Vice President for Technical Programs, Carlos Cuéllar, who added: “We are confident that her expertise and leadership will be invaluable in advancing URC’s mission.”
When asked why she chose to join URC, Cathy added “I’m energized by URC’s positive vision, focus on technical excellence in health, service delivery, and quality of care, and its amazing people who I’ve had the opportunity to work with throughout my career. I can’t wait to join them!”
Cathy received her Master of Public Health in International Health from Columbia University in the City of New York and holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from New York University.
