Linda Smith Appointed Chair of Community Partners International’s Board of Directors

Community Partners International (CPI) is pleased to announce the appointment of Linda Smith as Chair of the Board of Directors. She succeeds Dr. Thomas J. Lee, who has served with distinction as Board Chair since 2018 and will now assume the role of Vice-Chair.

Linda brings over 15 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, including more than a decade in field-based roles with CPI, the RAND Corporation, and other leading organizations. During her tenure as CPI’s Program Director for Infectious Diseases, she played a key role in the organization’s evolution from a volunteer-led initiative into a leading supporter of evidence-based health, humanitarian, and sustainable development services reaching millions annually in Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Thailand.

She rejoined CPI in 2018 as a Board member and has served most recently as Vice-Chair. Linda holds a BA from the University of California, Berkeley, and an MHS from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Welcoming her appointment, Dr. Lee said:
“On behalf of the Board, I am thrilled to confirm Linda Smith as our new Chair. Her deep knowledge of CPI, steadfast commitment to our mission and partners, and strategic vision make her the ideal leader for this next chapter. I look forward to supporting her in my new role as Vice-Chair.”

In accepting the role, Linda expressed both gratitude and determination:
“I’m honored by the Board’s confidence in me, and especially grateful to Dr. Lee for his exceptional leadership over the past seven years. Under his guidance, CPI has significantly expanded its reach and impact. I am committed to building on that legacy to help CPI reach even more communities in need.”

She also acknowledged the critical challenges ahead:
“We are operating in a time of profound crisis, particularly in Myanmar, where communities face escalating conflict, widespread poverty, a recent earthquake, and the withdrawal of vital international funding. I’m incredibly thankful to our donors, local partners, and teams for their unwavering dedication. Together, we will continue to deliver lifesaving support and strengthen community resilience.”

Linda assumes leadership as CPI accelerates its work across Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Thailand to meet rising needs amid a global aid funding crisis.

“CPI plays a vital role in helping communities meet urgent needs and build a stronger future. That will remain our focus — protecting lives, strengthening essential services, and standing with the people we serve.”

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Community Partners International (CPI) empowers vulnerable communities in Asia affected by conflict, disasters, and poverty to meet their essential health, humanitarian, and sustainable development needs.

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