HIA Retools; Names Jane Reese-Coulbourne as New Executive Director

In what has been dubbed as the beginning phases of “HIA 2.0,” the Hearing Industries Association (HIA), Washington, DC, and its board of directors have announced the appointment of Jane Reese-Coulbourne, MS, as the organization’s new executive director, effective February 13. Reese-Coulbourne brings over 25 years of business, not-for-profit, government, and patient advocacy experience to the HIA. She has worked in executive and consultant roles with patient groups, NGOs, federal agencies, and industry and payer organizations throughout her career.

Reese-Coulbourne takes the reigns of executive director following the departure of Andy Bopp, who assumed the position in September 2013 and left to pursue other interests in late 2017. Carole Rogin, who has served as president or executive director of HIA since 1980, will stay with the HIA team as a senior advisor and will work with Reese-Coulbourne on key strategic initiatives. Liz Thompson, who was interim director in charge of the transition and executive search, will be moving on to a new project outside of HIA at the end of March.

“Jane’s experience and leadership skills will help HIA achieve its mission to be the trusted voice on hearing healthcare for patient safety and education, delivery care, innovation and public policy,” said Brandon Sawalich, HIA Board Chairman and president of Starkey Hearing Technologies. “With her expertise and the strength of HIA member organizations, we will expand our collaboration with industry, medical research, and patient advocacy groups. These synergies allow us to continue to improve the hearing healthcare of Americans through medical device innovation. We are proud to have Jane as our new executive director and look forward to the many exciting opportunities ahead for our industry and the future of hearing healthcare.”

Reese-Coulbourne most recently served as the founding executive director of the Reagan-Udall Foundation for the FDA (Foundation). There, she oversaw the start-up of a partnership funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, working with WHO, FDA, EMA, and the Innovation in Medical Evidence Development and Surveillance (IMEDS) program to support the development of a “Big Data” methods research agenda.

Her career began at Procter & Gamble Company, where she worked for over 10 years in manufacturing operations, chemical engineering, government regulation, and new technology and product/brand start-ups. Later, working with other Fortune 500 companies, she consulted in strategic planning, re-engineering/restructuring, as well as new technology plans and start-ups. She holds a Bachelor of Science in chemistry from the University of Mary Washington and a Master of Science in chemical engineering from the University of Virginia.

“Innovation, patient advocacy and the importance of aligning critical stakeholder groups attracted me to this opportunity,” says Reese-Coulbourne. “I am honored to join a team of industry leaders working on behalf of the hearing health of millions of Americans to keep them connected to their loved ones, communities, and their passions.”

HIA 2.0. Since the last HIA membership meeting in March 2017, the organization has committed itself to retooling in order to achieve more focused conversations and collaborations with legislators in Washington, DC, as well as with allied organizations and consumer advocacy groups. HIA is also severing ties with the association management services group, Bostrom, and is constructing its own management team to improve efficiencies and better attain its objectives.

“As the hearing industry continues to evolve, so must HIA,” Sawalich told The Hearing Review. “We are acting with clear focus to define our tomorrow and transform HIA’s purpose, structure, and voice.”