AAI Chief Program & Policy Officer Lauren Gross, J.D., recently announced that she will be leaving AAI after nearly 25 years of service.
Lauren has played a crucial role in shaping AAI’s public policy, advocacy, and educational efforts, leaving a lasting impact on the organization and its members. First as Director of Public Policy and Government Affairs and then in her current role, which she assumed in July 2023, Lauren has been a driving force in advancing AAI’s mission by ensuring that the voice of the immunology community is heard in key national policy discussions and by increasing virtual educational opportunities for members.
Over more than two decades, Lauren led AAI’s public policy efforts both on Capitol Hill and with officials from more than four presidential administrations, playing a key role in developing and advocating for AAI’s legislative and policy priorities. During her tenure, she has worked closely with numerous AAI presidents, the AAI Council, the AAI Committee on Public Affairs, and hundreds of other AAI members.
AAI CEO Loretta Doan expressed her gratitude and that of the AAI Council and leadership for Lauren’s “invaluable contributions and deep dedication to AAI over the years, including her service as chair of the Interim Leadership Team that successfully managed AAI during the CEO transition in 2022.”
Among her numerous accomplishments, Lauren takes particular pride in her conception and nurturance of the AAI Public Policy Fellows Program (PPFP), which will soon enter its 15th year. The first of its kind and a model that other organizations attempt to emulate, the PPFP has trained nearly 140 early career AAI-member scientists in federal advocacy and science policy; in turn, these advocates have, as part of the program, visited their legislators on Capitol Hill on behalf of AAI and the immunology community.
In her departing remarks, Lauren said the following:
“It has been a real pleasure and honor to serve the AAI community, which is replete with members whose scientific talent, commitment to advocacy, and genuine care and kindness are without measure. It has also been a true pleasure to work, over these many years, with so many talented and dedicated AAI members and staff. I am confident that AAI will continue to move into its future and meet the extraordinary challenges of today’s world.”
