Rebecca Vermeulen and Nancy Santilli Named to New Leadership Roles on The HBA Foundation Board of Directors

Rebecca Vermeulen and Nancy Santilli are stepping into new leadership roles with The HBA Foundation, serving as Chair and Vice Chair of the Board of Directors, respectively. 

These leaders bring decades of experience across the healthcare and life sciences ecosystem, along with a deep and long-standing commitment to the HBA. In their roles, Vermeulen and Santilli will help guide the Foundation’s strategic direction, strengthen its programs, and support its mission to advance global health and expand the future healthcare and life sciences workforce. 

Rebecca Vermeulen has spent more than 20 years helping shape the HBA, contributing across local, regional, and global leadership roles. Most recently, as a member of The HBA Foundation Board of Directors, she brings a unique perspective grounded in both organizational leadership and patient-centered innovation. In her role as Vice President, Global Patient Partnership at Roche Pharmaceuticals, Vermeulen has led efforts to strengthen connections between healthcare systems and the patients they serve. 

Her extensive leadership across the HBA includes service on the Global Board of Directors and as Global Board Chair, positioning her to guide the Foundation’s continued evolution and impact. Vermeulen succeeds Carol Montandon, who helped shape the Foundation’s early direction and impact. 

Nancy Santilli brings more than 30 years of experience in the health and life sciences sectors, along with a legacy of leadership within the HBA spanning more than two decades. From founding member of the Philadelphia Chapter to serving as global Chair, Santilli has played a pivotal role in shaping the organization’s growth and long-term strategy. 

Her experience in nonprofit development, fundraising, and strategic planning will support the Foundation’s continued expansion and sustainability, ensuring its programs can reach and support future generations of healthcare professionals. 

Together, Vermeulen and Santilli will work closely with the HBA Foundation Board of Directors and the broader HBA community to advance initiatives that create pathways for students and early-career professionals to explore, enter, and thrive in healthcare careers. 

As the Foundation continues to expand its programs and partnerships, its Board leadership remains central to guiding strategy, ensuring strong governance, and supporting long-term impact across the healthcare ecosystem. 

You can learn more about The HBA Foundation and its Board of Directors here.