Americares Names Two New Vice Presidents to Lead Global Regional Programs

Stamford, Conn. – June 26, 2025 – Americares is pleased to announce the promotion of two accomplished global health professionals to vice president roles as the organization strengthens its global programming and deepens its impact around the world. Eric Jovan Pérez-López, MPH, has been promoted to vice president of regional programs for the Americas and Saman Nizami, MPA, will now serve as vice president of Americares Asia, Eurasia, Middle East and Africa programs.

Pérez-López’s promotion underscores Americares commitment to ensuring that communities in the United States, Central and South America and the Caribbean have access to the care they need. In his new role, he is responsible for designing, implementing and directing innovative health programs that increase access to medicine, medical supplies and health services for low-income populations in the region. He is also responsible for overseeing Americares programs transitioning from response to recovery in the region, implementing projects that meet survivors’ long-term health needs and directing initiatives that strengthen health systems in vulnerable communities. Pérez-López also serves as a member of Americares senior Leadership Team, supporting the CEO in implementing the strategy and achieving the mission of the health-focused relief and development organization.

Similarly, Nizami’s new role will be crucial as Americares scales up its impact across Asia, Eurasia, the Middle East and Africa. She now leads initiatives to grow health programs in regions grappling with complex challenges, including infectious disease outbreaks, conflict and extreme weather, furthering Americares mission to ensure people and communities have access to essential health care, both in times of crisis and every day.

“Eric and Saman bring deep regional expertise, strong leadership and an unwavering commitment to improving health for individuals facing health disparities,” said Americares Senior Vice President of Programs and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Julie Varughese. “Their vision and experience will be critical as we strengthen our regional programs, build on Americares history of impactful work and continue to meet the growing health needs of communities in crisis around the world.”

Based in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Pérez-López brings nearly a decade of experience in public health and humanitarian response to this key leadership position. Most recently, he served as Americares Puerto Rico country director and interim senior director of Latin America and Caribbean programs, where he oversaw the organization’s health initiatives on the island and provided strategic and technical support for programs throughout the region. Prior to joining Americares in 2017, he worked as a contractor for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in San Juan, where he served as a public health advisor and as the deputy lead of partnerships in Puerto Rico during the CDC’s Zika response.

“The duty to serve and to be of service to others has always been at the heart of everything I do,” said Pérez-López. “I’m honored and humbled to be entrusted to lead the Americas region, accepting it with a deep sense of responsibility and commitment. I’m looking forward to addressing the health challenges that communities are facing every day and working alongside an amazing team of health professionals.”

Nizami, who is based in New York City, has been with Americares since 2020. She previously served as Americares senior director of Africa and Middle East programs, where she oversaw the design and implementation of innovative health initiatives that improved access to care and addressed critical health needs across the region. She brings to the role more than 15 years of experience in global health across Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Prior to joining Americares, she held various leadership roles at the International Rescue Committee (IRC), including managing a portfolio focused on critical health issues such as cholera and severe acute malnutrition in Nigeria and Kenya and sexual and reproductive health in Ethiopia and Uganda. She also deployed as a health manager, leading a 30-member team to implement primary health care programs in Libya. Prior to her work with the IRC, Nizami worked for the Clinton Health Access Initiative’s HIV Access Program. She has also worked with BRAC and Chemonics International.

“I am honored to serve Americares mission in this new role, leading our programs across Asia, Eurasia, the Middle East and Africa,” said Nizami. “Partnering with our incredible mission-driven team and harnessing the collective expertise and commitment we all bring, I look forward to deepening our impact through innovative, sustainable health solutions for communities facing critical and complex challenges across the region.”

Pérez-López earned a Master of Public Health degree from the Ponce School of Medicine and Health Sciences in Ponce, Puerto Rico, and a bachelor’s degree in general science from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico. He is fluent in English and Spanish.

Nizami earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and history from the University of California, San Diego and a Master of Public Administration degree in economic and political development, with a specialization in advanced policy and economic analysis, from Columbia University. She is fluent in English, Hindi and Urdu.

A leader in the humanitarian sector, Americares is No. 8 on Forbes list of Top 100 Charities and has a 4-star rating—the highest possible— from Charity Navigator—America’s largest independent charity evaluator. Americares helps communities prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters; increase accessibility, availability, affordability and acceptability of medicine and medical supplies; improve and expand clinical services; and prevent disease and promote good health. Since it was established in 1979, Americares has provided over $23 billion in aid to 164 countries, including the United States.