February 20, 2025, SEOUL, Republic of Korea  – The International Vaccine Institute (IVI) is pleased to announce the appointment of two distinguished leaders in global health, Dr. Seth Berkley and Dr. Srishti Gupta, to its Board of Trustees. Their extensive backgrounds in the prevention of infectious diseases and vaccine access and advocacy will be instrumental in guiding IVI as it continues to advance its mission to discover, develop, and deliver safe, effective, and affordable vaccines for global health.

Dr. Seth Berkley is recognized globally for his decades of contributions to global public health, most recently under his visionary leadership as the CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, where he played a critical role in increasing immunization rates among children in low-income countries. Under his leadership, Gavi secured billions of dollars in funding and facilitated the delivery of vaccines to millions of people, notably through the creation of the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) facility. Berkley’s expertise in infectious diseases and his commitment to equity in health access have been pivotal in addressing vaccination disparities across the world.

Dr. Srishti Gupta brings a wealth of experience in global health policy and strategy. As the former Director of Global Health at McKinsey, Gupta was instrumental in developing global health initiatives focused on vaccine-preventable diseases. Her work with diverse stakeholders—government bodies, NGOs, and international organizations—has equipped her with a deep understanding of the complexities of global health systems. Gupta’s strategic insight and innovative approach will bolster IVI’s efforts in developing vaccines for underserved populations.

“We are thrilled to welcome Seth Berkley and Srishti Gupta to our Board,” said George Bickerstaff, Chairperson of the IVI Board of Trustees. “Their remarkable track records and deep commitment to public health will be invaluable as we navigate the challenges facing global vaccine development and distribution. Their insights will strengthen our strategy and enable us to expand our impact in developing, and ultimately delivering, innovative vaccine solutions globally.”

Dr. Jerome Kim, Director General of IVI, said, “I am grateful to begin working with Dr. Berkley and Dr. Gupta at this critical moment in global health. Their guidance will help IVI navigate emerging health threats, the impact of climate change on infectious diseases, vaccine hesitancy and misinformation, and the need for greater equity in vaccine access, among other global issues that impact our health. I’ve had the pleasure of working with Dr. Berkley for a number of years to accelerate vaccines for HIV, and his addition to the IVI Board of Trustees alongside Dr. Gupta’s will enhance IVI’s commitment to vaccination for a healthier future for all.”

###

About the International Vaccine Institute (IVI)

The International Vaccine Institute (IVI) is a non-profit international organization established in 1997 at the initiative of the United Nations Development Programme with a mission to discover, develop, and deliver safe, effective, and affordable vaccines for global health.

IVI’s current portfolio includes vaccines at all stages of pre-clinical and clinical development for infectious diseases that disproportionately affect low- and middle-income countries, such as cholera, typhoid, chikungunya, shigella, salmonella, schistosomiasis, hepatitis E, HPV, COVID-19, and more. IVI developed the world’s first low-cost oral cholera vaccine, pre-qualified by the World Health Organization (WHO), and developed a new-generation typhoid conjugate vaccine that also achieved WHO prequalification in early 2024.

IVI is headquartered in Seoul, Republic of Korea with a Europe Regional Office in Sweden, an Africa Regional Office in Rwanda, a Country Office in Austria, and a Country and Project Office in Kenya. IVI additionally co-founded the Hong Kong Jockey Club Global Health Institute in Hong Kong and hosts Collaborating Centers in Ghana, Ethiopia, and Madagascar. 42 countries and the WHO are members of IVI, and the governments of the Republic of Korea, Sweden, India, Finland, Austria, and Thailand provide state funding. For more information, please visit https://www.ivi.int.

CONTACT

Aerie Em, Global Communications & Advocacy Manager
+82 2 881 1386 | aerie.em@www.ivi.int