Medecins Sans Frontieres Executive and Leadership Team

August, 2026

Leadership Overview

Medecins Sans Frontieres has 6 executives leading key functions including medical strategy, regional humanitarian operations, organizational governance, and academic outreach.

Committed to delivering life-saving care in crisis zones, Medecins Sans Frontieres maintains a global mission to provide medical assistance to populations impacted by conflict, epidemics, and systemic healthcare exclusion.

Leadership Roles at Medecins Sans Frontieres

  • President, Msf (South, Asia) - Rameez Akhtar
  • President - Catherine Dougherty
  • Co-President - Richa Parmar
  • Carleton's Chapter President - Narjis Nusaibah
  • President - Nobuko Kurosaki
  • Chief Medical Officer - Shahzad Khan
  • Rameez Akhtar - President, Msf (South, Asia)

    Rameez Akhtar, the President, Msf (South, Asia) at Medecins Sans Frontieres, manages humanitarian initiatives and strategic partnerships throughout the South Asian region. Overseeing regional logistics and local government relations, the President, Msf (South, Asia) ensures that medical aid reaches communities affected by regional instability and environmental disasters. This leadership role involves coordinating with international stakeholders to secure funding and operational access for critical health programs. By streamlining supply chain logistics across diverse geographic landscapes, Rameez Akhtar directly impacts the efficiency of emergency response efforts. The President, Msf (South, Asia) also drives advocacy campaigns to highlight the specific medical needs of marginalized groups within the region. Through consistent engagement with local health authorities, Akhtar strengthens the organizational footprint, ensuring that humanitarian assistance remains responsive to the evolving needs of populations facing acute crises and long-term health exclusion.

    Catherine Dougherty - President

    Catherine Dougherty, the President at Medecins Sans Frontieres, architects the overarching strategic vision and global humanitarian agenda for the organization. Overseeing the executive board and international policy development, the President ensures that all medical missions align with the core mandate of providing impartial aid to victims of conflict and disaster. This leadership role involves managing high-level relationships with global donors and international regulatory bodies to sustain long-term operational capacity. By fostering a culture of transparency and accountability, Catherine Dougherty directly impacts the global reputation and effectiveness of the organization. The President also coordinates with other C-suite leaders to allocate resources toward emerging health threats and under-served regions. Through rigorous oversight of organizational governance, Dougherty maintains the focus on delivering life-saving medical interventions, ensuring that the humanitarian mission remains resilient against geopolitical challenges and shifting global health priorities.

    Richa Parmar - Co-President

    Richa Parmar, the Co-President at Medecins Sans Frontieres, drives the operational expansion and financial sustainability of international medical programs. Overseeing the development of fundraising strategies and donor relations, the Co-President ensures that the organization maintains the necessary capital to respond to sudden humanitarian emergencies. This leadership role involves working closely with the board to refine organizational policies and improve the efficiency of field-based medical delivery. By implementing data-driven financial models, Richa Parmar directly impacts the scalability of humanitarian projects in high-risk areas. The Co-President also manages cross-departmental initiatives to enhance the impact of medical aid in regions suffering from systemic healthcare exclusion. Through strategic planning and resource management, Parmar secures the financial foundation of the organization, allowing medical teams to operate effectively in the most challenging environments while maintaining a commitment to neutral and independent humanitarian action.

    Narjis Nusaibah - Carleton's Chapter President

    Narjis Nusaibah, the Carleton's Chapter President at Medecins Sans Frontieres, directs academic outreach and youth engagement initiatives to foster the next generation of humanitarian advocates. Overseeing local volunteer recruitment and educational programming, the Carleton's Chapter President ensures that the organization maintains a strong presence within academic communities. This leadership role involves organizing awareness campaigns and fundraising events that support the broader mission of providing medical assistance to those impacted by conflict and disaster. By cultivating partnerships with student organizations and academic institutions, Narjis Nusaibah directly impacts the visibility and public support for humanitarian causes. The Carleton's Chapter President also coordinates with regional leadership to align local activities with the global strategic goals of the organization. Through consistent community engagement and advocacy, Nusaibah strengthens the pipeline of future medical professionals and supporters, ensuring that the humanitarian spirit remains vibrant and active across diverse educational landscapes.

    Nobuko Kurosaki - President

    Nobuko Kurosaki, the President at Medecins Sans Frontieres, manages the operational execution of medical humanitarian programs and organizational growth. Overseeing the implementation of field-based health strategies, the President ensures that medical teams receive the support required to operate in volatile environments. This leadership role involves monitoring the effectiveness of emergency response protocols and adjusting operational tactics to meet the needs of populations affected by epidemics and conflict. By optimizing the deployment of medical personnel and equipment, Nobuko Kurosaki directly impacts the speed and quality of humanitarian interventions. The President also collaborates with international partners to address systemic barriers to healthcare access in underserved regions. Through rigorous evaluation of field performance and resource allocation, Kurosaki maintains the operational excellence of the organization, ensuring that medical aid reaches those in greatest need while upholding the highest standards of humanitarian care and professional integrity.
    Nobuko Kurosaki

    Shahzad Khan - Chief Medical Officer

    Shahzad Khan, the Chief Medical Officer at Medecins Sans Frontieres, directs all clinical protocols and emergency health interventions across international conflict zones. Overseeing the deployment of medical supplies and specialized surgical teams, the Chief Medical Officer ensures that field operations meet rigorous humanitarian standards during epidemics and natural disasters. This leadership role involves constant collaboration with global health partners to mitigate risks associated with infectious disease outbreaks. By optimizing clinical workflows in resource-constrained environments, Shahzad Khan directly impacts the survival rates of vulnerable populations. The Chief Medical Officer also manages the integration of new diagnostic technologies into remote field clinics, ensuring that medical staff possess the necessary tools to address complex health crises. Ultimately, Khan secures the operational integrity of all medical programs, maintaining a focus on delivering high-quality care to those excluded from traditional healthcare systems.

    Explore Leadership Teams in Non-Profit & Charitable Organizations

    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Medecins Sans Frontieres Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Medecins Sans Frontieres?
    Medecins Sans Frontieres is led by Rameez Akhtar (President, Msf (South, Asia)), along with executives such as Catherine Dougherty (President) and Richa Parmar (Co-President).
    Who is part of Medecins Sans Frontieres’s executive team?
    The executive team of Medecins Sans Frontieres includes leaders such as Rameez Akhtar (President, Msf (South, Asia)), Catherine Dougherty (President), Richa Parmar (Co-President) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Medecins Sans Frontieres have?
    Medecins Sans Frontieres has 6 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Medecins Sans Frontieres’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Medecins Sans Frontieres includes roles such as President, Msf (South, Asia), President, Co-President, Carleton's Chapter President, President.