Mark White Appointed as Chief Financial and Administrative Officer at Orbis International
Orbis International, a prominent global nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing blindness and enhancing eye care accessibility, has officially announced the appointment of Mark White as its new Chief Financial and Administrative Officer (CFAO) as of June 2, 2025. With over 25 years of experience in the international nonprofit sector, Mark joins Orbis after a successful tenure at Alight (previously known as the American Refugee Committee), where he served as CFO for over 12 years. His comprehensive background showcases a strong commitment to supporting refugees and displaced individuals across more than 20 countries.
Mark's career has also included pivotal roles at Habitat for Humanity Australia, where he served as Chief Operating Officer. His experience there involved strategic planning, finance, human resources, and compliance, alongside maintaining information systems that underpin organizational effectiveness. Furthermore, he has held significant leadership positions within Habitat for Humanity International, where Mark was instrumental as Director of Business Strategy Development for the Asia Pacific region and as Finance Manager for the Africa and Middle East office. Both roles have equipped him with a nuanced understanding of global operational challenges and solutions.
According to Diana Wheeler, CEO of Orbis, "Mark brings extensive experience working across global teams and a proven track record of excellence in financial and administrative leadership. His commitment to fostering communication and mentorship within teams aligns perfectly with our mission at Orbis. We are excited to welcome him aboard."
Mark's personal connection to eye care has played a significant role in his decision to join Orbis. Following a laser eye surgery experience that corrected a torn retina he suffered from a sports injury, he became acutely aware of the privilege of having access to high-quality medical care. He stated, "Having worked in international development for so long, I am very aware of how fortunate I am to have easy access to high-quality medical and eye care. Orbis's mission resonates deeply with me, particularly in building sustainable systems for eye care that put prevention and treatment within everyone’s reach."
He holds a Master of Science in Taxation from DePaul University in Chicago and a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Fort Lewis College in Colorado. Notably, in 2023, Mark was recognized as CFO of the Year in the large nonprofit category by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, highlighting his exceptional leadership in the financial sector of nonprofit organizations.
Orbis International has been making strides in providing sight-saving programs across over 200 countries and territories. Currently, it's reported that around 1 billion people globally live with avoidable blindness and vision impairment. For more than four decades, Orbis has remained committed to addressing this pressing issue by developing sustainable eye care systems that leave a lasting impact in the communities it serves.
The organization operates innovative in-country programs in various regions such as Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and Latin America while also implementing forward-thinking technologies, including their award-winning telemedicine and e-learning platform, Cybersight. Additionally, Orbis is well-known for operating the world’s first and only Flying Eye Hospital, a fully accredited ophthalmic teaching facility housed in an MD-10 aircraft designed to deliver eye care to those in need.
Recognizing its operational excellence, Orbis has consistently achieved a four-star rating from Charity Navigator for financial health and transparency for 11 years in a row, placing it in the top 3% of U.S. charities. Furthermore, it earned GuideStar's platinum Seal of Transparency for three consecutive years. In 2022, Orbis also achieved accreditation from the Better Business Bureau for meeting all 20 standards associated with charity accountability.
For more detailed insights into Orbis International and its global impact on eye health, please visit their official website at orbis.org. Through the appointment of leaders like Mark White, Orbis continues to enhance its commitment to changing lives through sight-saving initiatives and developing resilient healthcare systems worldwide.