Global Liver Institute Welcomes Larry R. Holden as Chief Executive Officer

Washington, DC, Sept. 3, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Board of Directors of the Global Liver Institute (GLI), a leading patient advocacy organization, has named Larry R. Holden as the organization’s Chief Executive Officer, effective September 2024. Mr. Holden succeeds founder and ten-year CEO Donna R. Cryer, JD, as CEO of this influential, patient-focused organization.

“After a rigorous strategic evaluation of our organization and a competitive search process, we are pleased to announce Mr. Holden’s new role,” said Brian Munroe, chairman of the Board of Directors Succession Committee. Victor J. Reyes, MBA, chairman of the GLI Board, added, “We are inspired by his commitment to leading GLI into a new era of powerful patient advocacy.”

A former Chief of Staff and Chief Operating Officer of GLI, Mr. Holden has served the global liver disease community and their families directly for more than four years. “It is an honor to be named CEO of GLI,” said Larry R. Holden. “I am honored to continue Donna Cryer’s legacy and look forward to building and strengthening this organization as we continue to serve liver disease patients and their families around the world.”

After years of stigma and lack of attention at an individual and systemic level, liver health has become one of the greatest threats to well-being worldwide.

Estimated 1.5 billion people worldwide suffer from liver disease.
Liver cancer is the third most dangerous cancer in the world – despite the fact that about 70% of cases can be prevented.
They are there millions of new cases of viral hepatitis every year although there are effective measures to prevent and treat many infections.
With changing lifestyles and the increasing number of obesity and diabetes cases worldwide, fatty liver disease is becoming more common. about 30% of people worldwide.

Mr. Holden succeeds Founder Donna R. Cryer, JD, a pioneer in the patient engagement movement and an innovator in digital, clinical, and policy areas. Ms. Cryer will remain on the board after launching and leading GLI through its first decade of excellence in advocacy. The impact of this work is undeniable:

Through its Advanced Advocacy Academy, GLI has trained more than 375 advocates who have gone on to found community organizations, serve on research advisory boards, organize advocacy on Capitol Hill, and more.
GLI staff and community members have testified before the U.S. Senate, House of Representatives, FDA advisory committees, and leading hepatology societies to advocate for policies that support liver health.
- These efforts have led to successes including the passage of the Securing the US Organ Procurement and Transplantation Act of 2023, a landmark piece of legislation that holds organ donors and recipients accountable and accountable.
Through three Disease State Councils, GLI ensures patients and caregivers have an equal seat at the table as more than 180 Council members, including leading researchers, clinicians, advocacy organizations, and industry leaders, guide the way forward Fatty liver, Liver cancerAND Pediatric Liver Disease and Rare Liver Diseases.
Through its annual education and awareness campaigns, GLI convenes and equips more than 150 scientific societies and organizations from over 75 countries to educate, advocate and promote liver health – including more than 70,000 screenings conducted in 2023.

The GLI Board of Directors congratulates Mr. Holden on his new position.

ABOUT Larry R. Holden

Larry R. Holden has spent much of his personal and professional life involved in public service. He has a special connection to liver health, as many of his family members have the disease and continue to struggle with ongoing issues. A tireless advocate for the patient voice, he now leverages his many years of political experience and extensive congressional network to serve the public good. Prior to serving as CEO, Mr. Holden served the liver disease community in various capacities at GLI, including as Chief of Staff and most recently as Chief Operating Officer.
Mr. Holden has spent more than two decades in Washington, D.C., serving in political office, including working for U.S. Senator Hank Brown (CO), helping negotiate international security agreements with foreign governments, founding a political internet company, serving as Chief of Staff to U.S. Congressman Shays (CT), and serving as President of the Medical Device Manufacturers Association.
In addition to his political work, Mr. Holden has over 15 years of experience in starting and running small businesses. He has founded three for-profit companies that have been successfully sold to investors. He believes that using for-profit models to drive efficiencies in the nonprofit world gives charities the best chance for success and the best outcomes for the patients they serve. A strong believer in servant leadership, he leads, advises, and mentors many in the field.

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About the Global Liver Institute
The Global Liver Institute (GLI) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded on the belief that liver health must take its place on the global public health agenda, commensurate with the prevalence and impact of liver disease. GLI promotes innovation, encourages collaboration, and supports the scaling of optimal approaches to help eliminate liver disease. With a global presence, GLI is committed to solving problems that matter to liver disease patients and equipping advocates with the tools to improve the lives of individuals and families affected by liver disease. Follow GLI on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedInAND YouTubeor visit www.globalliver.org.