Under the leadership of the Lifebox Global Governance Council (GGC), the search for Lifebox’s next Global CEO will begin immediately. To ensure continuity following Kris’ departure, the GGC is also pleased to announce that Judy Ngugi, Chief Finance and Administration Officer (CFAO), will serve as Interim CEO, from June 2026. Judy has over 20 years of experience in the development sector, including roles at the International Livestock Research Institute, the Kenya Human Rights Commission, Helen Keller International, and most recently Gatsby Africa, where she was Deputy Director for Operations and Finance.
We have every confidence in Judy’ Ngugi’s stewardship as Interim CEO, and we are committed to a thorough and competitive search for a leader who will take Lifebox forward, ” said Dr. Tom Weiser
“I am honored to step into this role at such an important moment of transition for Lifebox. Kris has built an organization of real impact – technically strong, deeply connected to the communities it serves, and genuinely committed to lasting change,” stated Judy Ngugi, the Interim CEO, Lifebox Foundation.”My focus as Interim CEO is to protect and build on that momentum: supporting our teams, maintaining the trust of our partners, and ensuring our work continues without interruption.”
Since 2011, Lifebox has made surgery and anesthesia safer for millions of patients worldwide. Yet the scale of the challenge remains vast. An estimated 5 billion people lack access to safe, timely, affordable surgical care, and those who do face preventable risks. Lifebox exists to change that reality for the better, one system, one clinician, and one operating room at a time.
If you have questions or would like to connect with the team during this transition, please contact us on [email protected]