Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Announces Irena Barisic as Next Chief Operating and Financial Officer

Barisic Will Transition from Current Role as Chief Financial and Administrative Officer in January 2023

BETHESDA, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation announced that Irena Barisic has been appointed the next Executive Vice President, Chief Operating and Financial Officer. Ms. Barisic will transition from her current role as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial and Administrative Officer, a position she has held since June 2021.

“Irena has made significant contributions to strengthening our organization, from expertly managing our financial resources to helping us accelerate our progress and best serve people with cystic fibrosis,” said Michael Boyle, MD, president and CEO of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. “She is a trusted advisor with outstanding leadership skills. Her focus on innovation and excellence and her commitment to our mission and to our staff and our community make her ideally suited to serve in this broader role.”

Soon after joining the Foundation, Ms. Barisic assumed oversight of several departments including Finance, Enterprise Risk Services, Technology, and Operations, as well as the Grants and Contracts Management function and, most recently, the Human Resources department. Barisic brings more than 20 years of robust experience in operations and financial management to her role. She joined the Foundation from the Brookings Institution, where she spent 11 years, most recently serving as Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Assistant Treasurer.

Among other board service, Barisic served on the board of directors of the Association for Finance Professionals (AFP). During her years on the AFP board, she served as Chair of the FP&A Advisory Council and on the Audit and Policy Committees.

“I joined the CF Foundation because I was deeply drawn to its mission and its groundbreaking approach to research and transformative care,” said Barisic. “I am honored to take on this new role and continue to work with a talented team, amazing community, and dedicated board to identify ways we can be even more innovative and collaborative, as we boldly position ourselves for the next chapter in CF progress.”

As Chief Operating and Financial Officer, Barisic will oversee the Foundation’s day-to-day operations with broad responsibility and oversight of operating and financial functions, and serve as a strategic advisor to the president and CEO. She will transition into her new role beginning January 1, 2023.

About the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is the world's leader in the search for a cure for cystic fibrosis. The Foundation funds more CF research than any other organization, and nearly every CF drug available today was made possible because of Foundation support. Based in Bethesda, Md., the Foundation also supports and accredits a national care center network that has been recognized by the National Institutes of Health as a model of care for a chronic disease. The CF Foundation is a donor-supported nonprofit organization. For more information, visit cff.org.