New York, February 26, 2025 –Global Action to End Smoking is pleased to announce that Jeff Willett, Ph.D., has assumed the role of Vice President, Strategic Engagement. In this role, Dr. Willett will lead a range of efforts that drive Global Action’s charitable mission of ending combustible tobacco use, which remains the leading preventable cause of death globally.
At Global Action, Dr. Willett will guide the organization’s stakeholder engagement, development, and communication efforts. His expertise in smoking cessation and tobacco control and his deep compassion for the people who are most affected will enhance Global Action’s direct charitable health education strategies in support of people who smoke. He will report to Cliff Douglas, Global Action’s President and Chief Executive Officer.
“We are thrilled to welcome Jeff to our team, as his talent, drive, and commitment to saving lives will bolster our organization’s steadfast mission to eliminate the leading cause of preventable death worldwide,”
Dr. Willett is a seasoned nonprofit, philanthropic, and government leader with over twenty years of experience in senior leadership roles with national and state tobacco control organizations in the United States. His experience includes leadership positions at the American Heart Association, the Truth Initiative, the New York State Tobacco Control Program, and the Ohio Tobacco Prevention Foundation. Dr. Willett is a sociologist by training and a strong advocate for improving health among lower-income and marginalized populations, particularly through smoking cessation.
“I’m excited to join Global Action and support its incredibly important public health mission. Global Action plays a critical and unique role in the public health and tobacco control landscape, and I look forward to increasing our impact by accelerating support for effective solutions to reducing the global toll of cigarette smoking.”
Dr. Willett is an alumnus of the Grantmakers in Health’s Terrance Keenan Institute for Emerging Leaders in Health Philanthropy and holds a Ph.D. in Sociology, with a focus on health and medicine, and a Bachelor of Journalism from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.