January 3, 2005 – Dr. Chris Elias, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Ibis Reproductive Health, has announced the appointment of Kelly Blanchard as the group’s new President. She succeeds the late Charlotte Ellertson, who established Ibis in 2002 “to improve women’s reproductive health, choices, and autonomy worldwide.”
Ms. Blanchard, who has been acting president since March 2004, has expertise in research on reproductive health issues in developing countries, with recent focus on emergency contraception, medical and surgical abortion, and STI/HIV prevention. Prior to joining Ibis to establish its South Africa office in 2003, Ms. Blanchard was a program associate at the Population Council, where she managed a growing program on reproductive health in South Africa and the Southern Africa region.
Dr. Elias said Ms. Blanchard has demonstrated her leadership and commitment to Ibis, and her knowledge of the reproductive health field.
“We believe Kelly is the right person to take on formal leadership of Ibis as it moves into its next phase of development. We believe that Ibis has a very bright future ahead, working to increase the reproductive health choices open to women and to enhance women’s autonomy in exercising these choices.”
In assuming her new role, Ms. Blanchard said: “I am delighted to continue working with Ibis’s board and staff on the exciting program of activities Ibis is undertaking to expand women’s health choices and reproductive rights worldwide.”