European Patients’ Forum Announces Leadership Transition

European Patients’ Forum Announces Leadership Transition: Anca Toma to Step Down, Valentina Strammiello Appointed Interim Executive Director

The European Patients’ Forum (EPF) announces a leadership transition as Anca Toma steps down from her position as Executive Director after a 3,5-year tenure marked by growth, advocacy excellence, and consolidation of a team committed to promoting patient-centred health policy across Europe. 

EPF is delighted to announce that Valentina Strammiello has been appointed Interim Executive Director. Valentina brings over a decade of experience within EPF, most recently serving as Director of Strategic Initiatives. She has been a steady and powerful voice for EPF’s community, shaping EPF’s strategic work in project development and implementation, building EPF’s leadership in patient-centred health technology assessment, contributing to the creation of EPF’s youth capacity building programme, and representing EPF in the global patient community. Her deep understanding of the organisation’s vision and long-standing commitment to patient involvement make her uniquely placed to lead EPF into its next chapter. 

Valentina Strammiello stated:  
"I am humbled by the trust placed in me and excited to build on the solid foundations Anca has laid. I look forward to supporting EPF navigating the transition in these unprecedented times for the health sector and working to continue advocating for a patient-centred, inclusive, and equitable healthcare system." 

 Anca Toma shared: "It has been an honour to be part of EPF and I am grateful to have served alongside an expert, supportive Board, a professional team, and an engaged community of members. I leave with pride in the team we built, in its talent and accomplishments, with deep admiration for the communities we serve, with gratefulness to the partners who supported EPF along the way, and with confidence in Valentina’s leadership moving forward."  

Speaking on the transition, Marco Greco, EPF President, said: 

"On behalf of the Board and EPF members, we are grateful to Anca for her dedication. We now warmly welcome Valentina into this role, supportive of her proven leadership and her ability to drive forward our collective mission for a stronger patient voice in Europe. EPF, like many patient organisations and NGOs, is navigating an ever more challenging political and policy environment. In these turbulent times, Valentina has our full support in driving forward EPF’s mission and represent our members with the excellence that she has demonstrated in her years of service so far." 

EPF enters a new chapter with appreciation for Anca Toma’s service and full confidence in Valentina Strammiello’s stewardship moving forward. Our mission remains the same: to ensure that patients’ perspectives drive health policy and practice across Europe. Under Valentina’s guidance, we will continue to work closely with our members, partners, and policymakers to translate this mission into tangible, patient-centred improvements in healthcare.