CEO Departures

Baker to step down from aviation group

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association announced Mark Baker is working with the group’s board of trustees to find his successor. 

Baker joined AOPA in 2013 as the fifth president in the organization’s history. He has told staff he is committed to staying in his role for up to two years while the board works to find the next president.

Korn Ferry is assisting in the search.

CEO Arrivals

Wills to helm psychiatric group

The American Psychiatric Association announced Marketa Wills has been appointed CEO and medical director. She will succeed Saul Levin, who announced in August 2023 his plans to retire May 31 of this year.

“Dr. Wills has a unique combination of health care financing, innovation, business acumen, and frontline experience as a physician that made her an ideal candidate for the leadership of the APA administration,” said APA President Petros Levounis.

Wills is currently senior vice president and chief medical officer of Johns Hopkins Health Plans, where she has worked since October 2020. Previously, she spent four years at WellCare Health Plans, most recently as senior corporate medical director. She was also previously a member of the APA Board of Trustees. 

She has a master’s degree in finance and health care management from the Wharton School and an M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.

Heidrick & Struggles assisted in the search. 

Sheahan joins health policy alliance

The Alliance for Health Policy has named Claire Sheahan its the next president and CEO. She succeeds Sarah Dash, who spent 10 years at the Alliance.

“The Alliance Board recognized that Claire’s passion, energy and finger on the pulse of health care and health policy are the right mix to take the organization forward.  We trust that together, we will accomplish great things,” said Elizabeth Hall, vice chair of the Alliance.

Sheahan was named interim COO in October 2023 prior to her appointment as president and CEO. Previously, she founded and was principal of consultancy Galanthus Strategies, and held senior communications roles at Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Avalere Health, the Generic Pharmaceutical Association and FleishmanHillard.

She has a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a master’s degree in media and communications from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Korn Ferry assisted in the search.

Staff Arrivals

American Association of Credit Union Leagues—Austin DeBey has joined AACUL as director of advocacy, effective Feb. 12. He is currently vice president of advocacy operations and legislative affairs at the GoWest Credit Union Association. Previously, he was vice president of legislative affairs at the Mountain West Credit Union Association. 

Association of American Railroads—Rand Ghayad has joined AAR as chief economistand senior vice president of policy and economics. He previously spent two years as head of economics and global labor markets at LinkedIn. 

American Bankers Association—Joanna Girardin Shapiro has been named chief member engagement officer, effective Feb. 15. Shapiro has spent the past 12 years at Bank of New York Mellon, most recently as managing director of securities services and digital, corporate trust.

Household & Commercial Products Association—Molly Blessing has been promoted from director of sustainability to vice president of sustainability and product stewardship, effective Feb. 15. Prior to joining HCPA in November 2021, Blessing was the product safety and regulatory affairs specialist lead at chemical and consumer goods company Henkel.

Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association—Kyle Innes is joining SIFMA as managing director and associate general counsel. He was previously associate director in the office of government affairs at the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.