(WASHINGTON, November 05, 2026) The ASH Research Collaborative (ASH RC) Board of Directors has appointed Christopher Dowd, MBA, as executive director of the ASH RC, effective October 1, 2026. Matthew Gertzog, the current executive director, will become chief executive officer of the American Society of Hematology starting January 1, 2027.

Dowd brings more than two decades of experience spanning clinical research, research operations, strategic planning, business development, and industry partnerships to his role. He joined the ASH RC as deputy director of business development in 2022, transitioning to deputy executive director in 2024, where he oversaw the daily functions of the Sickle Cell Disease Research Network, Multiple Myeloma Research Network, and Data Hub teams.

“Chris articulates an ambitious and coherent vision for the ASH RC that consists of a strong commitment to continuity while pursuing growth and takes advantage of his business acumen,” said Gary Schiller, MD, chair of the ASH RC Board of Directors and professor of medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.  “His leadership has been instrumental in shaping and growing the organization into what it is today, and he is the perfect person to guide the organization as it continues to evolve.”

The ASH RC was launched in 2018 with the aim of accelerating progress in hematology research through partnerships, data collection, and engagement with lived experience experts. It began with the creation of the Sickle Cell Disease and Multiple Myeloma Research Networks to expedite research and improve outcomes for individuals living with those diseases, and the Data Hub, a platform to aggregate real-world data on hematologic diseases. Ultimately, the ASH RC is planning to expand into other disease areas with significant unmet need in the future.

“When I first joined the ASH RC, I had the opportunity to help build something from the ground up, and serving as its executive director means leading the organization into its next phase,” said Dowd. “We’re looking to scale our research and broaden our impact within hematology, from sickle cell disease to multiple myeloma and beyond.”

Prior to joining the ASH RC, Dowd worked at the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) for almost 11 years, where he provided management support of business-related activities across the Clinical Affairs department in support of the CFF’s Accredited Care Center Network. Prior to CFF, he worked as the manager of clinical operations for PMG Research, a for-profit clinical research company. He received his Bachelor of Science in Biology from New Mexico Tech and a master’s degree from Lenoir-Rhyne University.