Karen A Goraleski

Karen A. Goraleski serves as the Interim Executive Director of the International Society of Travel Medicine (ISTM), the largest organization advancing the specialty of travel medicine.

Her career spans decades of leadership in mission-driven organizations, including 13 years as CEO of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH), the largest international scientific organization of experts dedicated to reducing the worldwide burden of tropical infectious diseases and improving global health. She achieved the status of Fellow of ASTMH (FASTMH) in 2024.

During her tenure at ASTMH, she increased the Society’s influence, expanded membership, and led successful policy, advocacy, and communication efforts.

Goraleski has testified before Senate Appropriation Sub-Committees, moderated congressional briefings, and authored opinion pieces for major publications like The New York Times and The Washington Post. She has served on the Advisory Board of the NIH’s Fogarty International Center, the Steering Committee of the Global Health Technologies Coalition (GHTC), and the boards of the Global Health Council and the Campaign for Public Health.

Before ASTMH, she was Vice President of Public Health Partnerships at Research!America, where she enhanced public health advocacy and established a global health research advocacy program. She is an experienced communicator, known for translating complex issues for policymakers, the media, and the public.