Planned Parenthood Announces New Leadership

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, the Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) and the Planned Parenthood Action Fund (PPAF) boards of directors announced that Dr. Leana Wen is departing her role as President and CEO of PPFA and President of PPAF, and that Alexis McGill Johnson has been named Acting President and CEO of PPFA and Acting President of PPAF, effective immediately. Johnson is a former member of the board of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, as well as a former chair and member of the board of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. 

Statement from PPFA board Chair Aimee Cunningham and PPAF Board Chair Jennie Rosenthal:

We thank Dr. Leana Wen for her service to Planned Parenthood in such a pivotal time and extend our best wishes for her continued success.  

We are pleased to announce that Alexis McGill Johnson has been named Acting President, effective immediately. Alexis is a renowned social justice leader, lifelong political organizer, and a tireless advocate for reproductive rights and access to quality, affordable health care. She has served as a Planned Parenthood board member for nearly a decade and acted as Planned Parenthood’s Board Chair from 2013 to 2015, where she expanded the organization’s philanthropic reach and helped develop a strategic plan to increase access to Planned Parenthood’s health centers and identify new technologies to meet the needs of Planned Parenthood's patients.  

Planned Parenthood was founded over 100 years ago on the revolutionary idea that women should have the information and care they need to live strong, healthy lives and fulfill their dreams — with no ceilings, and no limits. We look forward to working with Alexis McGill Johnson to build on Planned Parenthood’s great legacy as a trusted health care provider, an informed educator, a passionate advocate, and a global partner helping similar organizations around the world.

Statement from incoming Acting President Alexis McGill Johnson:

I am proud to step in to serve as Acting President and facilitate a smooth leadership transition in this critical moment for Planned Parenthood and the patients and communities we serve. I thank Dr. Wen for her service and her commitment to patients. I look forward to getting to work alongside the incredible team at Planned Parenthood who work every single day to help people access high quality reproductive health care.

A search for a new president and CEO will start early next year, with a goal of having a new president in place by the end of the year.

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Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable health care for women, men, and young people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With more than 600 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect and without judgment. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable health information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives.