Governance

Chris Palombo, MAP International President and CEO: A Leader with a Heart for Global Health Chris Palombo brings a profound sense of calling and decades of leadership in healthcare innovation and mission-driven service to MAP International. With a career rooted in both domestic and international health initiatives, Chris is dedicated to expanding MAP’s impact across the globe. Chris began his career as a missionary and minister to university students, then moved into the healthcare space, where he focused his efforts on developing infrastructure that serves low-income populations by reducing cost, expanding access, and improving outcomes. Chris served for 13 years as the CEO of Dispensary of Hope, a charitable organization dedicated to increasing medication access for uninsured patients in the U.S. He holds a Master of Healthcare Management degree from Lindenwood University, as well as a Master of Arts from Wheaton College. He is a U.S. Presidential Leadership Scholar, the chair of the MedSurplus Alliance, and serves on the board of Charity Pharmacies of America. Chris’s journey to MAP began in 2012 at the Global Health Missions Conference, where he felt a deep stirring in his heart to serve the international community. This moment ignited a passion that aligns perfectly with MAP’s mission of serving Christ and the less fortunate. For Chris, this role is not just a job, but a calling—a continuation of a path he’s been on for many years. Chris is driven by the opportunity to answer the prayers of those in need through MAP’s work. His leadership is grounded in a strategic vision and a fervent desire to see God’s love reach the most vulnerable. He values the relationships that make MAP’s work possible, from the dedicated MAP team to the generous donors and committed partners. Under Chris’s guidance, MAP continues to leverage its decades of expertise in healthcare logistics, focusing on strategic growth, expanding partnerships, and increasing the reach of critical health resources to those who need them most.

Folz is a 30-year veteran of the life sciences industry where he has overseen the conduct of more than 800 clinical trials. Recognized as one of the Top 20 Innovators in the research industry in 2018, Folz is also a recipient of the Innovation Award for the Society for Clinical Research Sites for his creation of an international nonprofit program to enable the life sciences industry to repurpose surplus clinical trials supplies for humanitarian aid in underserved regions (www.kits4life.com). In collaboration with the top pharmaceutical companies in the world and the Task Force for Global Health, the organization has now supplied much needed medical supplies and equipment to humanitarian aid organizations in 15 countries. Folz serves as a national consultant and speaker on the development of clinical research operations and business structures, and has assisted more than a dozen US hospital systems, networks, and physician groups on the strategic growth of their clinical research operations. Folz is also the co-founder of the Cardiovascular Research Consortium [www.cardiorc.com], a nationwide network of community-based cardiology practices, where he is overseeing the creation of one of the nation's largest platforms of real world data for academic research. Prior to his career in the life sciences industry, Folz excelled in healthcare administration, where his strategic marketing efforts were featured in US News & World Report, Fortune, Advertising Age, Hospital Magazine, Modern Healthcare, numerous other trade journals, and in four college textbooks.

Ms. Burnett leads TEPHINET's Accreditation and Quality Improvement team. She enjoys working closely with the Accreditation Working Group and educating program directors about accreditation in creative and interactive ways. She joined TEPHINET from the CDC Foundation, where she was a Senior Program Officer specializing in PEPFAR, among a larger portfolio of public health projects. She previously worked for DeKalb County, Georgia, where she managed federal programs supporting social services and affordable housing development, as well as the United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta and the New York City Department of Homeless Services. She served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Korogwe, Tanzania with a focus on community development and girls’ health education. Prior to joining the Peace Corps, she was a high school teacher for five years. She holds a bachelor of arts (BA) degree from Wake Forest University, a master of education (MEd) degree from the University of Georgia, a master of public administration (MPA) degree from New York University, and earned her Project Management Professional (PMP) certificate in 2019.