Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation Announces New President & CEO: Michael Osso Appointed

New York, NY — The National Board of Trustees announced today that Michael Osso has been selected as the next President and CEO of the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation. For the past two years, Osso has served as the Foundation's Chief Business Development Officer where he has been instrumental in expanding the Foundation's revenue portfolio and has been an integral member of the senior leadership team.

"Michael's passion for our mission and commitment to the patients we serve, coupled with his proven success and vast experience, make him the ideal person to lead the Foundation into the future," said Richard J. Geswell, President and CEO. "I will head into retirement knowing that we have the right leader in place to take the Foundation to the next level."

Osso has spent his entire professional career in the non-profit sector. His background in staff and volunteer development; fundraising and marketing; strategy development and implementation; financial management and operations; and community-outreach and board development has benefited a variety of nonprofits over the last 25 years.

Prior to joining the Foundation, Osso spent seven years at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) -- first as the Executive Director of its New York City Chapter and then as SVP of Revenue at the national office. His responsibilities included oversight of LLS's national fundraising campaigns including Team In Training and Light The Night Walk, as well as its major and planned giving efforts. Osso is a graduate of The Wharton School at The University of Pennsylvania.

"There has never been a more exciting time in the Foundation's history than now," said Michael Osso, the Foundation's President and CEO-elect. "The progress we have made over the past ten years under Rick's leadership has been tremendous, and I look forward to being able to build upon that success. I believe the Foundation is on the brink of game-changing breakthroughs for our patients."

Osso will assume the role of President and CEO on August 1, 2015. He is a native New Yorker and currently resides in Manhattan with his partner of 12 years. An avid singer, he is a member of the performing group Forte. This summer, he is showing his personal commitment to the cause by participating in the Napa-to-Sonoma Half Marathon as part of the Foundation endurance and training fundraising program, Team Challenge.

Crohn's & Colitis Foundation

The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation is the leading nonprofit organization focused on both research and patient support for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), with the mission of curing Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis and improving the quality of life for the millions of Americans living with IBD. The Foundation’s work is dramatically accelerating the research process, while also providing extensive educational and support resources for patients and their families, medical professionals, and the public.