Joel Lamstein, Global Public Health and Education Leader, Retires

After dedicating more than 43 years of his life to public health and education, Joel Lamstein has retired. Joel was president of John Snow, Inc., the nonprofit JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc., and World Education, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving lives through education, economic, and social development programs.

“This has been a labor of love for me,” reflected Joel. “It was always clear that those of us who are advantaged should give back. It’s part of every religion I know of; it is a fundamental part of ethics, which outlines all we are and should be.”

In 1973, Joel co-founded Management Sciences for Health. In 1978, he co-founded John Snow, Inc. with Bert Hirschhorn. The 12-person organization focused on U.S. health care, implementing a data systems program for Title X family planning providers.  JSI continues to help HRSA strengthen Title X services.

Joel’s leadership has meant never losing sight of the international project teams we are supporting to improve lives—and to provide that support with integrity, humility, grit, and humor.” – Kristin Eifler, 12 years with JSI

A year later, JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc. was born. By 1980, JSI had won its first international project: the Tanzania School Health Project. JSI’s family expanded in 1982 when World Education, Inc, joined and Joel assumed the CEO role. In 2011, World Education formally became a subsidiary of JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc. Today, the three organizations span more than 350 projects in 42 countries with over 4,100 staff members.

For me, Joel’s leadership is unparalleled. I’ve heard him tell JSI’s evolution story many, many times and it never gets old. Without question, he lives the “why” behind why he started JSI.” – Megan Hiltner, 18 years with JSI

Joel is an adjunct senior lecturer at the Harvard School of Public Health and an adjunct professor at the Boston University School of Public Health. Today, he is chair of the board of Seed Global Health and the advisory council of the Children’s Health Fund in New York. He is also chair of the dean’s advisory boards at Boston University School of Public Health, the University of Michigan School of Public Health, and the Harvard Center for Population and Development Studies. Joel served on the board of the Global Health Council from 2004 until 2012.

Prior to his retirement, the JSI and World Education boards of directors announced the appointment of Margaret Crotty as their next president and chief executive officer. Margaret has a record of leadership and innovation in both the nonprofit and private sectors in the areas of education and public health.

“In Margaret we found a person with knowledge of international and U.S. social development and health and a vision that will help take JSI and World Education into the future, while nurturing the culture that we are renowned for,” commented Joel. “I know I am leaving the organization in excellent hands.”

While we all look back fondly at Joel’s leadership over the decades, our staff is excited to welcome Margaret as the new president of JSI and World Education, Inc. We are confident that she will continue to push JSI and World Education in positive ways and look forward to supporting her as she takes on this role.

Learn more about Joel Lamstein’s legacy.