The National Board of Trustees recently announced that Michael Osso was selected to become the next President & CEO of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America. For the last two years, Osso was the Foundation’s Chief Business Development Officer where he had a crucial role in expanding the CCFA‘s role in supporting new IBD research as well as patient care.
The CCFA was established in 1967 and it is a private, national nonprofit organization focused on finding cures to address inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and improving the quality of life of both adults and children who suffer with the disease. The CCFA has already funded over $250 million in research and improved the lives of hundreds of thousands of patients.
“Michael’s passion for our mission and commitment to the patients we serve, coupled with his proven success and vast experience, make him the ideal person to lead CCFA into the future. I will head into retirement knowing that we have the right leader in place to take CCFA to the next level,” said Richard Geswell, CEO and President.
Osso has dedicated his entire professional life to the non-profit sector. He has a proven background in staff and volunteer advancement; marketing and fundraising; strategy advancement and implementation; operations and financial management; community-outreach and board development. He has eloped and led several successful nonprofits over the last 25 years.
Before joining CCFA, Osso worked for 7 years at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) and his responsibilities were to oversee the LLS’s national fundraising campaigns. He graduated from the Wharton School at The University of Pennsylvania.
“There has never been a more exciting time in CCFA history than now. The progress we have made over the past ten years under Rick’s leadership has been tremendous, and I look forward to being able to build upon that success. I believe the Foundation is on the brink of game-changing breakthroughs for our patients,” said Osso.
Osso will begin as the President and CEO of the CCFA on August 1, 2015. He currently lives in Manhattan with his partner of 12 years; he is also a singer and performs with the group Forte. This summer he will participate on the Napa-to-Sonoma Half Marathon Team Challenge.