New IPFA Executive Director Dr. Leni von Bonsdorff

During the annual meeting of the General Assembly, the International Plasma and Fractionation Association (IPFA) appointed Dr. Leni von Bonsdorff as its new Executive Director, succeeding outgoing Executive Director Dr. Paul Strengers.

For the last 10 years, Dr. Leni von Bonsdoff worked as the Managing Director of Sanquin Oy, a sales organisation set up in Finland after the Finnish Red Cross Blood Service discontinued their fractionation activities in 2005. She has worked in the field of plasma fractionation for the majority of her career, touching most parts of the value chain: from R&D, process development, regulatory to commercial activities including marketing, sales, market access, as well as medical support. Leni has a doctor’s degree from research carried out at the Finnish Red Cross Blood Service in the field of plasma derived medicines. She holds positions of trust in the Academia sector in Finland and believes strongly that science and innovation should always support development and decision making. We are sure all our colleagues, partners and stakeholders will wish to join us in warmly welcoming Leni to her leadership role in IPFA.

“I am delighted to start in this new position in an organization which I have known throughout my career and for which I have high respect. In these times when the emergence of a new infectious disease and its vast consequences has become so apparent to the whole world, the impact of what the donation organisations and the plasma fractionation industry can have on healthcare is further emphasized. I want to continue the work for our members in the global community to strengthen this impact. I am also deeply grateful to Paul for supporting me in the handover period and to learn the broad range of activities IPFA is involved in.”

Outgoing Executive Director Dr. Paul Strengers will continue in a consultant role at IPFA. We sincerely thank Paul for his undisputable contribution to the IPFA organisation and to the plasma fractionation community. During his years as Executive Director, he has, amongst other achievements, successfully advocated and brought international recognition to the importance of plasma as a strategic resource and increased plasma collection by the not-for-profit sector of the industry. This core principle will continue to guide the work of IPFA in supporting the interests of patients worldwide.