Orbis International Appoints Kathleen Sherwin as New President and CEO

Global nonprofit organization Orbis International has named Kathleen Sherwin as its new President and Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.

Ms. Sherwin arrives at Orbis with more than 25 years of leadership experience in health equity, gender equality, and sustainable development across the nonprofit and humanitarian sectors. Most recently, she served as Chief Strategy & Engagement Officer at Plan International, where she guided strategy, partnerships, fundraising, communications, and policy for a global organization focused on children’s rights and girls’ equality.

In her new role, Ms. Sherwin will lead Orbis’s efforts to expand access to eye care worldwide and elevate eye health as a core global health priority. She emphasized that “the need for eye care has never been greater” and outlined a vision centered on strengthening sustainable health systems, supporting women-led and environmentally conscious eye centers, and delivering world-class ophthalmic training both in person and virtually.

Ms. Sherwin also underscored the broader importance of vision in global development, stating that eye health is fundamental to equity, education, economic stability, and health system readiness—and should be integrated into wider health and development strategies.

Before joining Orbis, Ms. Sherwin’s work focused on building resilient systems and advancing equitable access to essential services. In addition to her role at Plan International, she held senior leadership positions at Women Delive, including Interim President & CEO, and at the Planned Parenthood Federation of America. 

Orbis, known for programs including its Flying Eye Hospital and the Cybersight telehealth and e-learning platform, works with local partners in Africa, Asia, and Latin America to train eye care professionals and expand services in regions where access is limited.

Originally published online on Eyewire+.