Debra Lubar, PhD
Milbank Memorial Fund
The Milbank Memorial Fund announced earlier this month that Debra Lubar, PhD, who served in leadership roles at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) under five administrations, will become the Fund’s 11th president effective December 1, 2025. She will succeed Christopher Koller, who has been president since July 2013. Most recently, Lubar served as Chief Operating Officer at the CDC, where she led agency-wide operations, developed program and policy strategy, and oversaw budget planning and execution for the $19 billion, 22,000-employee federal agency.
As Director of CDC’s Office of Policy, Performance, and Evaluation, Lubar established modern policy processes to enhance transparency and effectiveness of CDC guidance, regulations, and programs. Prior to holding these agency-wide roles, she was Deputy Director of CDC’s National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, where she directed program strategy, operations, congressional affairs and public policy, communications, and human resources for one of CDC’s largest national centers.
Before joining CDC, Dr. Lubar was Chief Policy Advisor in the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services. Lubar has a PhD in social work from the University of Georgia, a MSW from Boston University, and a BS from Cornell University. She is a Presidential Rank Award winner, the highest honor for senior federal career employees, recognizing significant accomplishments and leadership in public service.
The Milbank Memorial Fund Board of Directors selected Lubar as the next president in September after a national search led by Korn Ferry.
Contact: Christine Haran at 917.216.5359 or charan@milbank.org