Press Release
Stamford, Conn. – Jan. 28, 2019 – Americares is pleased to announce the election of Francine Katsoudas to its Board of Directors. Katsoudas, whose three-year term began Jan. 18, brings to the board more than 20 years of experience with the global technology company Cisco Systems, Inc., where she has held several senior management roles in operations, customer service and business development.
“We are thrilled to welcome Fran to the board,” said Americares President and CEO Michael J. Nyenhuis. “Her extensive experience managing teams and accelerating change in a dynamic industry will be an asset as Americares grows to help more people affected by poverty or disaster.”
In her current role as Cisco’s Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer, Katsoudas is responsible for developing leadership and talent strategies, elevating team performance, and driving an innovative and transparent culture for the company. She also leads Cisco’s business-driven People Strategy and People Deal, both of which support and align to Cisco’s overall business strategy. Prior to joining Cisco in 1996, Katsoudas worked in both the financial and professional services industries with a focus on customer service and operations.
“I am honored to join the board of Americares,” Katsoudas said. “Their mission to expand access to health care and medical aid can have such a profound impact when an individual or family needs it most. I am looking forward to helping the organization continue to grow and develop programs to ensure health remains at the center of the conversation.”
The Americares Board of Directors oversees all aspects of the organization’s life-changing health programs including its disaster response work and support for under-resourced hospitals and health clinics worldwide. Since its founding 40 years ago, Americares has provided more than $17 billion in aid to 164 countries, including the United States.
Katsoudas previously served on the Board of Directors of the Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose, where she chaired the Executive Compensation Committee.
Katsoudas holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of California, Berkeley. She lives in Los Gatos, Calif., with her husband John and their two children.
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