September 2, 2026

News from the

One Health Commission

For Immediate Release

New Constitution

and Bylaws

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Launching an

Expanded Board of Directors

The One Health Commission (OHC) announces approval and implementation of a new Constitution and Bylaws and launch of an expanded Board of Directors.

See an Overview of the Commission's work since 2009.

https://tinyurl.com/OHC-2026-Overview

Under its original Bylaws the path to OHC Board participation was quite limited.

Under new organizational documents, individuals who possess needed expertise and experience can be invited to serve on the Board of Directors.

Review the new Constitution and Bylaws

https://tinyurl.com/OHC-Const-Bylaws

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Launch of the Expanded Board of Directors

Candidates were sought who can span multiple disciplines and who have experience engaging community voices. Representatives from each of these essential domains were required:

Environmental

Human

Other Animal

Plant

Individuals with expertise and/or experience in research, teaching, policy and/or practice in one or more of the following disciplines were encouraged to apply:

anthropology, biology, communications, ecology, economics, engineering, epidemiology, ethics, health (human, other animal, plant, environment/ecosystem), law, political science, psychology, sociology, and welfare/well-being.

Essential Qualifications included



• Demonstrated expertise in and commitment to

the One Health approach

• Strong network connections within domain and/or region
• Minimum 5 years of experience in a relevant field

Proficiency in English

• Ability to collaborate across disciplines and sectors

Over 100 outstanding applications were received for twelve seats.

Five incoming Directors work primarily in the Animal Domain, five work primarily in the Human domain, and one each works in the Environment and Plant domains. Two current Directors, one primary Environment and one primary Animal will continue to serve for one year more.

The expanded One Health Commission Board of Directors includes:

Click on the images to see a pdf List of the Expanded OHC Board 2.0.

Thank you to these One Health champions for stepping forward to serve. Join us in welcoming them as they take the leadership reins

for the OHC.

Watch for their Bios and more information as the OHC Leadership webpage is updated. The current board rushed to make this announcement in time for the 9th World One Health Congress convening in Lisbon, September 4-7, 2026

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The Commission would also like to THANK the Adhoc Team that oversaw rewrite of its

Constitution and Bylaws and led the Expanded Board selection process.

Adhoc Committee: 

Dr. Tom Doker, Invited Advisor and Committee Chair

Dr. Mark Starr, current OHC Board member and Committee Co-Chair

Dr. Lee Willingham, current OHC Board member

Dr. Joann Lindenmayer, past OHC Board member

Dr. Jessica Schwind, Invited Advisor

Dr. Ayinka - Asahkee Brown, Admin Officer

Dr. Cheryl Stroud, OHC Executive Director

This group worked diligently for over a year and a half and has provided an invaluable, volunteer service to the OHC and the global One Health movement.

Thank you so much, dear One Health Colleagues.



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Our Commitment to Diversity

The OHC is committed to fostering diversity on our Board across disciplines, sectors, genders, races, ethnicities, and geographic regions. We particularly welcomed applications from professionals in low- and middle-income countries and those from underrepresented communities.

This message is shared by the One Health Commission (OHC), a US based 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, E.I.N. 27-0799294, working locally, nationally, and globally to 'Connect, Create, and Educate' about One Health and One Health issues. The OHC connects the international One Health Community, leads global One Health Day, shares a monthly One Health Happenings newsletter and supports One Health groups and initiatives around the world in any way it can. See more of what we do.