Our leadership

Shared services directors

PATH's Shared Services divisions provide the infrastructure and cross-program services that support our program staff in doing their best work. Our Shared Services directors are experienced professionals in the fields of business development, communications, finance, fundraising, human resources, information technology, law, public health advocacy, and publishing.

Erik Arnold
Chief Information Officer

Mr. Arnold is an information technology professional with more than 14 years' experience in information technology leadership, project management, and systems integration. Mr. Arnold is responsible for PATH’s global information systems—including library services, records management, software development, and the global network and computer services teams.

Prior to PATH, Mr. Arnold spent a number of years working on designing and implementing large digital asset–management systems, with a robust cataloging interface and rich controlled vocabulary. He also has extensive experience with ERP implementations utilizing complex data integration platforms and reporting. He has experience with financial audits, forecasting, budgeting, contracts, HRIS, intranet design, data warehousing, and web-based dashboards. More recently, Mr. Arnold implemented program portfolio management to track relative project priorities, interdependencies, and costs—and fully implemented both Lean Agile and Scrum software development practices at a large, global e-commerce company. His approach focuses on transparency, communication, and collaboration.

Mr. Arnold holds a MA from Brown University.

Michele Burns, MA
Director, Communications

Ms. Burns oversees PATH’s corporate and programmatic communications. Her division includes online communications, media communications, graphic design, outreach, and editing and content development. She previously directed PATH's editorial and graphic design teams and developed many of PATH’s highest-visibility documents.

Prior to joining PATH in 1999, Ms. Burns held positions with several groups in the publishing industry, including HarperCollins Publishers in New York and Encore Media Group in Seattle. As a senior editor at Harbour Communications in Seattle, she wrote and edited a range of medical communications materials.

Ms. Burns holds an MA from the University of Washington and a BA from New York University.

Ellen Cole
Director, Outreach

Ms. Cole is responsible for informing, inspiring, and engaging people to support and partner with PATH to improve the health of people in developing countries. She is charged with representing PATH, engaging with key audiences, and fostering partnerships with other organizations and institutions in the nonprofit, global health, and development arena.

Before joining PATH in 2003, Ms. Cole served as director of development and communications for Global Partnerships, a Seattle-based nonprofit supporting microfinance institutions in Central America. She also has many years of experience in communications, marketing, sales, and management in the publishing and newspaper industries.

Doug Palm
Director, Global Facilities

Mr. Palm oversees PATH’s global facilities operations. These include office and facilities management, new office design and construction, safety, and emergency preparedness. He has 30 years of experience in information technology and facilities management, specializing in identifying organizational requirements and partnering with experts in design and construction to achieve optimal results.

Prior to joining PATH in 1989, Mr. Palm worked as a computer consultant providing training and advice regarding computer productivity, electronic communications, and project management software to a variety of government and corporate entities. He is an active volunteer with the Boy and Girl Scouts of America and the Kayaking Committee of the Everett Mountaineers, and he is a founding member and former chair of the Nonprofit Organizations Knowledge Initiative and a member of NetHope.

Mr. Palm received BS degrees in microbiology and food science technology from Oregon State University. He has also completed several certificate courses: an introduction to the US Green Building Council’s LEED program, microcomputer management from the University of Washington, Microsoft systems engineering, and systems analysis from Boeing Computer Services.

Rachel Wilson, MPH
Director, Advocacy and Public Policy

Rachel Wilson is responsible for the development, management, and evaluation of our advocacy and public policy initiatives. With more than 15 years of experience in public health advocacy, research, and communications both in the United States and globally, Ms. Wilson has held numerous public policy leadership roles in global and women’s health, health disparities, and infectious diseases.

Before joining PATH in 2006, Ms. Wilson served as director of policy communications at the Global Health Council. Previously, she served as the director of women’s health policy and advocacy at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and director of policy and advocacy at the Massachusetts Public Health Association. Prior to her work in public policy, she coordinated epidemiologic research on women and children’s health at the Boston University Schools of Public Health and Medicine.

Ms. Wilson earned her MPH from Boston University.

David Wu
Director, Fund Development

David Wu directs PATH’s philanthropic fund–development strategy and operations and is responsible for expanding philanthropic support of the organization and accelerating funding for new innovation. With more than 25 years of experience in fundraising, development strategy, and operations, he has led successful multimillion-dollar fundraising campaigns in both of his most recent positions.

Before joining PATH in 2012, Mr. Wu was vice president of External Relations at Woodland Park Zoo, providing strategic leadership of fund development and external relations operations, including communications, government affairs, membership, and volunteer relationship management. Previously, he served at the University of Washington in a variety of senior development roles, including associate vice president for campaign and development programs.

Mr. Wu holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and a master’s degree in higher education administration from Bowling Green State University.