Contact:
Shannon Easley
404-653-0790
seasley@cdc.gov
CDC Foundation Fills Key Program Position
July 25, 2005, ATLANTA - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Foundation has named Verla S. Neslund vice president for programs. In this role, Neslund will manage the Foundation’s programs department, which develops and implements programs that connect CDC experts with private sector resources to accomplish important public health goals around the world.
Neslund is on assignment to the Foundation from CDC, where she served in a variety of leadership positions from 1983 to 2004, most recently as chief learning officer. She has also held the positions of acting chief of staff for CDC director Dr. Julie Gerberding, director of CDC’s Executive Secretariat Office, deputy legal advisor, and attorney advisor in CDC’s Office of the General Counsel. Neslund received her B.A. degree in journalism from the University of Minnesota and her J.D. degree from Emory University School of Law. Prior to attending law school, Neslund was a television reporter in Minneapolis and managing editor of a local newspaper in Prince Frederick, Maryland. Neslund has also served as an adjunct professor of law at the Emory University School of Law.
Founded by Congress seven years ago, the CDC Foundation is an independent, nonprofit enterprise that forges effective partnerships between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and others to improve health and safety.