ILDS Executive Director Announcement

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

Today I share the news that Jo Groves is resigning her position as ILDS’ Executive Director after five successful years with the International League of Dermatological Societies (ILDS). Jo has resigned from the position in order to focus on new endeavours. She leaves the ILDS a substantially different organisation from the one she joined in 2015.

Jo representing ILDS and our Members at a wide variety of events

Working closely with the ILDS Board and staff team, Jo has overseen the implementation of ILDS 2015-2019 Strategy; an exciting time during which ILDS strengthened its collaboration with the World Health Organization, held a fantastically successful and truly global World Congress of Dermatology, saw significant growth in the work of the International Foundation for Dermatology, an increase of the ILDS membership from 150 to 195 organisations, and the development of a professional Secretariat from one person to a team of nine staff. This strong foundation stands the ILDS in good stead for the future.

The expansion of the ILDS Secretariat under Jo Groves

The ILDS Executive Committee will oversee the process to recruit someone with the expertise and enthusiasm to manage the ILDS at this important period of its development. We very much hope we will have someone in post by the end of the 2021. Jo will be staying with the ILDS through the transition process to appoint the next ILDS Executive Director and will be leaving towards the end of this year.

I feel very privileged to have had the opportunity to work with such committed Board, Staff, Member organisations and our many Partners over the past five and a half years through an exciting period of growth for the ILDS. It has been wonderful to see the positive impact it has had in health policy, capacity building, education, raising awareness and providing care to improve the skin health and lives of people from around the world. The passion, commitment, respect, support, honesty and humour that has been shared with me by the ILDS Board, staff, Members and Partners has made working with ILDS incredibly rewarding both professionally and personally. I am proud and honoured to have been part of ILDS’ journey and wish it all the best for its future.

On behalf of the ILDS Board of Directors I would like to thank Jo for her outstanding contributions to the ILDS over the last five years and wish her all the best for the future.

Kind Regards,

Lars FrenchILDS President