Global Action Welcomes Nataliia Toropova as Chief Development Officer
Global Action to End Smoking is excited to announce the appointment of Nataliia "Natasha" Toropova as its new Chief Development Officer, effective immediately. With decades of experience in international public health and tobacco harm reduction, Natasha is set to lead the organization in funding crucial programs aimed at eradicating smoking worldwide.
Natasha expressed her enthusiasm, stating, "I am truly honored to join Global Action, an organization that shares my commitment to compassion for smokers and my vision of a world free of tobacco-related deaths." Her extensive background in public health positions her uniquely to drive Global Action's mission forward.
Natasha will spearhead efforts to broaden the organization's philanthropic reach, financing pivotal research and initiatives critical to accelerating progress in eliminating smoking on a global scale. Her previous roles have included serving as a Program Manager for the World Health Organization (WHO) and as the Political Advocacy Coordinator for the Tobacco-Free Kids Campaign in Eastern Europe. In these capacities, she not only advocated for public health initiatives but also led successful fundraising campaigns to support their missions.
Before joining Global Action, Natasha concluded a six-year tenure as the CEO of Healthy Initiatives, a nonprofit dedicated to enhancing public health efforts in tackling non-communicable disease risks in countries like Ukraine, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia. Under her leadership, Healthy Initiatives educated hundreds of healthcare professionals across nine countries in Eastern Europe and Central Asia about the benefits of tobacco harm reduction for individuals who are unable or unwilling to quit smoking, especially in the stressful context of global conflict. The organization also played a vital role in providing much-needed assistance, such as CAT tourniquets, ambulances, and mental health support, in the most war-torn regions of Ukraine.
Pam Parizek, Chair of Global Action's Executive Board, remarked, "Natasha brings bold vision, extensive experience, and unwavering dedication to public health. She has seen firsthand the positive impact that Global Action’s support can have in accelerating the cessation of smoking, making her the ideal leader to drive our efforts in securing additional funding for this life-saving work."
Natasha’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for Global Action as it strengthens its commitment to its beneficiaries. A recent reorganization has ensured the organization's sustainability until its mission to eliminate tobacco consumption is completed, allowing it to fulfill existing commitments and fund future grants. Natasha's development work will directly support the beneficiaries of Global Action, which currently includes partnerships with organizations such as Northwell Health, the National Harm Reduction Coalition, and ECLAT, a research entity at the University of Catania. She will work closely with the executive leadership team to carry out her fundraising and outreach responsibilities.
Heidi Goldstein, President and Chief Legal Officer of Global Action, stated, "Global Action remains steadfast in its commitment to its mission. We have ensured that our organization will endure until we witness the end of the global tobacco consumption epidemic."
About Global Action to End Smoking
Global Action to End Smoking is an independent, nonprofit organization, designated as a 501(c)(3) in the U.S., with a charitable mission to eradicate combustible tobacco use, which remains the leading preventable cause of death worldwide. Historically, Global Action has received funding from PMI Global Services, Inc. In September 2023, Global Action formally rescinded its original funding agreement with PMI and adopted a policy to neither seek nor accept funding from tobacco manufacturers or non-medical nicotine products.
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