New CEO Announcement
Wednesday, January 25, 2023
Posted by: Natalia Gromov
North American Quitline Consortium Announces New President & CEO
January 25, 2023
The North American Quitline Consortium (NAQC) Board of Directors is pleased to announce the hiring of Michelle Lynch as its next President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Michelle will succeed Linda Bailey, the founding President and CEO, who retires after 19 years in the position. The transition in leadership will take effect on March 2, 2023.
For the past seven years, Michelle has served as the Tobacco Cessation Initiatives Manager at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. In this role, Michelle provided vision and strategic oversight of Colorado’s public health grants, and initiatives focused on driving the impact, equity, and sustainability of tobacco cessation interventions. During her tenure, she spearheaded efforts that elevated Colorado as a national leader in cessation treatment access and reduced the disparities in quit success rates among people with lower incomes by 50%.
“It has been an exceptionally trying time for quitlines and the people we serve,” said Michelle. “Despite adversity, the NAQC community harnessed shared strengths to pivot, mobilize responsive surveillance and communications, and continue to center equity in all we do. I’m proud to be a NAQC member and eager to step into this new role alongside the Board and colleagues across North America. I’m confident that together we will rise to meet new challenges, support and strengthen the NAQC membership, and continue to adapt quitlines to better reach, resonate, and positively impact the health and well-being of the diverse populations we serve.”
Michelle currently serves as an appointed member of the NAQC Advisory Council. She has been recognized as a national leader in driving strategies to advance quitline innovation, growth, sustainability, and equity impacts. Over the years, she has contributed to numerous NAQC efforts and publications to advance quitline capacity, reach, and quality.
Paula Celestino, Chair of the Board notes, “Michelle’s expertise in equity, innovation and sustainability are in precise alignment with NAQC priorities. This along with Michelle’s exceptional enthusiasm and commitment to the job make her the right person to lead NAQC into the future. The Board welcomes Michelle with excitement and confidence. She knows our organization, members and partners. We look forward to her leadership!”
Prior to joining the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Michelle served as a Counselor at National Jewish Health, a public relations consultant, and a director at a variety of disease management and health promotion firms. Michelle has a Bachelor of Arts in health psychology and a national certificate in tobacco treatment practice.
For additional information, contact: Board@naquitline.org | |
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