NNPHI seeks collaborative, entrepreneurial, strategic, and values-driven candidates to serve as its next leader.
The National Network of Public Health Institutes (NNPHI) seeks a visionary and collaborative leader to serve as its next President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Following more than 13 years of successful leadership as NNPHI’s inaugural full-time CEO, Vincent Lafronza will retire in December 2026 after guiding the organization through tremendous growth and impact. This is a rare opportunity to lead a highly respected, mission-driven national network at a pivotal moment for public health in the United States.
NNPHI is the national membership network for 52 local and state public health institutes (PHIs) nationwide. These nonprofit organizations operate at the local and state levels to strengthen public health systems and improve population health outcomes. Public health institutes are essential to the nation’s public health systems. The incoming CEO will have a unique platform to shape public health infrastructure, policy, and collaboration nationwide while supporting local innovation that improves lives and communities across the country.
NNPHI sits at the nexus of policy, local innovation, and national collaboration. NNPHI’s program teams lead federally and privately funded public health initiatives in partnership with member institutes and aligned organizations that strengthen health systems and the public health workforce locally, statewide and across the nation. With a presence in all 50 states and numerous territories, NNPHI’s members represent more than 12,000 public health experts and over $2.2 billion in annual funding in partnership with local and state public health systems.
Reporting to a highly engaged Board of Directors, the CEO is responsible for NNPHI’s strategy, operations, financial sustainability, and national visibility and influence. As the face and voice of the organization, the CEO will guide NNPHI and its members through a rapidly evolving public health and funding landscape, championing the value of public health institutes, strengthening the network, and positioning NNPHI for even greater long-term impact. The CEO oversees more than 50 staff across offices in New Orleans and Washington, D.C.
Read the full leadership profile detailing the President and CEO position at NNPHI.
All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV/resume and a letter of interest. All materials should be received by July 13, 2026.
First-round interviews will take place in August 2026. Final candidates will meet with the Board of Directors in Washington, D.C. on September 22, 2026. Selected candidates should plan to hold the above dates in the event they are invited by the search committee to participate in the interview process.
The expected salary range for this position is $325,000 to $385,000. The final determination on salary will be based on relevant experience and peer compensation data. NNPHI is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, parental status, veteran status, or any other protected status under
applicable laws.
WittKieffer is assisting NNPHI in this search. Please direct all applications, nominations, and inquiries to the search consultants: Jeff Schroetlin, Philip Tang, and Angela Raphael. Contact araphael@wittkieffer.com.
