Harold Wimmer is the President and CEO of the American Lung Association, the nation’s leading organization dedicated to saving lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. Fostering a culture of innovation and a distinct mission-first approach, Wimmer directs the executive operations of the Association to deliver high impact services and initiatives to improve the lung health of all Americans.
His work with the American Lung Association began in 1978, and he became President and CEO in February 2013. The organization serves as the nation's premier resource for lung health, and under his leadership has evolved to meet emerging, urgent lung health issues facing Americans today, including:
- Improving the lives of all those living with lung disease by accelerating research and doubling our research investment
- Increasing awareness of lung cancer and the new availability of lifesaving screening to ensure more eligible Americans are screened
- Addressing and reducing the youth e-cigarette epidemic
- Advocating for zero-emission transportation and energy technologies to reduce the harms of air pollution and climate change
- Sharing science-based information about COVID-19 vaccinations and treatments, funding COVID-19 research and being a committed partner in the global effort to end COVID-19
Under Wimmer's leadership, the Lung Association has deepened its commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) internally and for the external communities it serves. The Lung Association is committed to promoting lung health equity, and fostering diversity, equity and inclusion in our systems, programs, policies and practices.
Prior to leading the nationwide organization, Wimmer served in key executive positions in the American Lung Association in Illinois and the American Lung Association of the Upper Midwest. Earning a B.S. in Community Health and an M.S. in Health Administration & Policy from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, he has been an active alumni member at U of I, serving on the Applied Health Sciences Alumni Board.
Wimmer also serves as the Treasurer of the National Health Council, Co-Chair of the Advisory Council to the World Resource Institute Electric School Bus Initiative and Advisory Member to the International Union on TB and Lung Disease. He has also served in an advisory role to two presidential administrations on issues including COVID-19 and youth vaping.
