AmeriCares Leadership and Management

Curtis R. Welling, President & Chief Executive Officer                      

Curt Welling joined AmeriCares as President and CEO in 2002. Since that time, he has guided the organization in delivering $6 billion in medicines and supplies around the world, enabling more people to live longer, healthier lives. Welling brings to AmeriCares an extensive career in the investment banking and securities industry with firms such as SG Cowen, Bear Stearns and Credit Suisse First Boston. Welling currently serves on the Boards of Coca-Cola Enterprises (NYSE: CCE), The Nelson A. Rockefeller Center for Public Policy at Dartmouth College and Vice Chair of The Adirondack Council and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.  Previously, he served as Board Chair of Spence Chapin Services and was the founding Board Chair of the Donaldson Adoption Institute. He received both his Master’s of Business Administration and Bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College, and his law degree from Vanderbilt University Law School.

Carol Shattuck, Chief of Staff & SVP, Communications and Marketing      

As Chief of Staff, Carol interfaces with the President & CEO, department heads and the Board of Directors to ensure the organization runs effectively and efficiently. 

In addition, she oversees all facets of the organization, communication and marketing functions, as well as the AmeriCares Free Clinics program. Carol brings 20 years of experience in management, development, marketing and communications in the private, nonprofit and government sectors. She also has extensive international experience, having lived in Germany, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia. Carol received her Bachelor‘s degree from Middlebury College.

Christoph Gorder, SVP, Global Program Operations    

Christoph leads AmeriCares medical humanitarian aid and emergency response to catastrophic events around the world.  He directs an expanding global sourcing operation and fast-moving supply chain for nearly $1 billion in donated medicines and supplies from pharmaceutical/healthcare companies in the U.S., Europe and Asia. He is responsible for building and coordinating a network of on-the-ground partnerships with medical institutions in over 90 countries to deliver emergency aid and support long-term health-care rebuilding efforts.  In addition, he oversees the development and operation of innovative programs such as the AmeriCares Family Clinic in El Salvador.   In more than a decade of work for AmeriCares, he has led first responder teams and major reconstruction efforts worldwide.  Christoph, who grew up in Nigeria and the Central African Republic, received both his Master‘s and Bachelor‘s degrees in Spanish & Latin American Literatures & Cultures from New York University.

Katherine A. Sears, SVP Finance & Technology     

Kate brings over 25 years of finance, executive leadership and consulting expertise to AmeriCares. Prior to joining AmeriCares, she served as Chief Financial Officer for Friederici, LLC and Hometown Entertainment and John Frieda Professional Haircare, Inc. In addition, her background includes extensive finance and business consultant roles in New York, Washington D.C., as well as overseas in Indonesia, Hong Kong and the United Kingdom. Kate received a Master’s of Business Administration from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor’s degree from Yale University.

Kevin R. Gilrain, SVP, Human Resources        

In his role as SVP of Human Resources, Kevin is responsible for aligning the human resources agenda with the organization’s strategy and organizational development work. Kevin leads the HR team with a focus on talent acquisition, development and management. Kevin brings more than 15 years of human resources experience in the for-profit sector, leading human capital priorities and organizational change. Prior to joining AmeriCares, he was SVP of Human Resources and Administration at Popular Club, a catalog retailer. Kevin received a BA in Business and Philosophy from Muhlenberg College and studied graduate-level philosophy at Syracuse University.

Ella R. Gudwin, VP Emergency Response         
Ella oversees delivery of medical and humanitarian aid in response to over 20 emergencies a year including natural disasters, civil conflict and disease outbreaks around the world and in the U.S.  Additionally, she develops specialized programs that provide free treatment to indigent patients in low income countries with conditions including breast cancer, cardiovascular disease and malnutrition. Prior to joining AmeriCares, Ella served as Head of Foreign Government Relations at the Population Council where she built partnerships for HIV/AIDS and reproductive health programs. She also worked in Indonesia for three years conducting research with the World Bank’s economic management team.  Ella received her M.A. in emerging market economics and Southeast Asia studies from Johns Hopkins University and a B.A. from Vassar College. She is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and serves as co-chair of the Global Health Council’s Humanitarian Health Caucus.

Geoff Kneisel, VP, Corporate Relations          

Geoff oversees donations of medicines and medical supplies in support of AmeriCares emergency response work and AmeriCares international and domestic medical assistance programs.  He leads a team responsible for the development and maintenance of strong partnerships with pharmaceutical companies and medical supply manufacturers in order to solicit high-quality medical donations and provide a continual stream of inventory in support of our humanitarian work around the world and throughout the United States.  Geoff has been with AmeriCares since 1999, and received his bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Skidmore College in New York

Purvish M. Parikh, M.D., VP & Managing Director, AmeriCares India      

Dr. Parikh is an expert in medical oncology and hematology. He joined AmeriCares India Foundation as managing director after an extensive career in medical research. Prior to AmeriCares India, he served as professor and head of medical oncology at Tata Memorial Hospital for 17 years, as well as founder and director of a nongovernmental organization, the Indian Co-operative Oncology Network. As Managing Director, Dr. Parikh leads gift-in-kind partnerships with India-based pharmaceutical manufacturers and oversees donations to local health care programs in response to natural disasters and chronic resource constraints in poor communities. In addition, he oversees India-based logistical capabilities, providing AmeriCares with a global operational hub in India. Dr. Parikh received a M.D. from Bombay University, and earned both a Ph.D. and a Master's of Business Administration from the University of Mumbai. Dr. Parikh is a member of the Indian College of Physicians and the National Board in New Delhi.

Adam Zayan, M.D., MPH, VP Global Partnerships     

Dr. Zayan brings over 25 years of work experience with national and international health care non-profit organizations to his role as leader of our global partnership management program.  Prior to joining AmeriCares, Adam was the Chief of Programs at the International Trachoma Initiative where he led the efforts to eliminate blinding trachoma worldwide.  In that role, Adam worked closely with the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control, along with numerous universities and national and international non-profit organizations. He has served in senior positions with prominent NGOS including ORBIS International; Partners in Population and Development; Save the Children’s worldwide primary health care program; and Helen Keller International’s program in Niger. Adam earned his medical degree at the University of Alexandria in Egypt and his Masters in Public Health from the University of Pittsburgh.  

Frank J Bia, M.D., MPH,  Medical Director      

Dr. Bia is an expert in infectious diseases and international health. He recently joined AmeriCares after a 30-year career at Yale University School of Medicine. Dr. Bia served as a professor of both medicine in infectious diseases and laboratory medicine in clinical microbiology. He was also co-director of the International Health Program at Yale. As Medical Director, Dr. Bia oversees the planning, assessment, resourcing and clinical operations of AmeriCares Global Programs Operations, as well as the organization's work with free health care clinics throughout the United States, and provides medical oversight of the AmeriCares Free Clinics in Connecticut. He received his B.S. degree from Fordham University and his M.D. degree from Cornell University Medical College, as well as a Master's of Public Health degree from the Harvard School of Public Health. In addition, he honed his expertise in the areas of infectious diseases, tropical medicine and international health while working abroad in Haiti, China, Colombia, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Iran and Thailand. 

Peter Tokarczyk, Director, Logistics        

Peter has served as Director of Distribution & Warehousing at AmeriCares since 1995. In this role, he maintains executive oversight for all aspects of inventory and warehouse management and development, with particular emphasis on coordinated operations. Peter works to ensure supply chain solutions that are executed with quality, accountability and measurable impact. Prior to AmeriCares, Peter worked for the Federal Aviation Administration and Coca-Cola Bottling Company of New York. Peter received his Bachelor‘s degree in Transportation and Distribution Management from Syracuse University.