amfAR Announces Chief Executive Officer Succession Plan

amfAR Announces Chief Executive Officer Succession Plan

Kevin Robert Frost to Retire at End of 2025;
Kyle Clifford to be Elevated to CEO

New York, NY, March 6, 2025— amfAR today announced that Kevin Robert Frost will retire at the end of 2025 after more than 30 years of service to the organization, the last 18 as its Chief Executive Officer. Last year, Frost informed the Board of Trustees of his intention to retire to spend more time with his family and the board immediately began a search for his successor. The Foundation has named Kyle Clifford, Chief Development Officer and a member of amfAR’s management team since 2020, to be Chief Executive Officer beginning on January 1, 2026.

“It’s hard to adequately express our gratitude to Kevin Robert Frost for all he has done to advance amfAR’s mission since joining the Foundation more than three decades ago,” amfAR Board Co-Chair T. Ryan Greenawalt said. “The passion, dedication, and inspiration Kevin has brought to the role of CEO has enabled amfAR to cement its reputation as a leading biomedical research institution and an authoritative voice on HIV, and to take giant steps towards a cure.”

Board Co-Chair Kevin McClatchy added, “No one is better positioned or better qualified to take the reins at amfAR than Kyle Clifford. Since joining amfAR, Kyle has reinvigorated the Foundation’s development strategies and initiatives, launched successful new fundraising events, sought out new streams of revenue, and inspired the board and staff with his energy and personal devotion to the organization and the cause. We have every confidence in Kyle’s ability to lead amfAR into an exciting new chapter of growth, to new breakthroughs, and to new levels of success in the years ahead.”      

Frost joined amfAR in 1994 and served in various roles before being appointed CEO. As Vice President, Clinical Research and Prevention Programs and later, Vice President, Global Initiatives, he worked extensively in Asia, where he facilitated the development of amfAR’s TREAT Asia program. This network of more than 50 hospitals, community clinics, NGOs, and healthcare facilities in 12 countries has become a model for regional collaboration on HIV/AIDS.

During his tenure as CEO, Frost has overseen the launch of major initiatives including the amfAR Institute for HIV Cure Research, established in 2016 with a five-year, $20 million grant to the University of California, San Francisco. The Institute was the centerpiece of a Countdown to a Cure for AIDS initiative that raised more than $50 million for cure research. In 2014, amfAR created IciStem, a consortium of European researchers aiming to replicate the circumstances by which Timothy Ray Brown was cured of HIV in 2008. Two subsequent cure cases–the London and Düsseldorf patients–were part of the IciStem consortium. To date, eight people are known to have been cured of HIV.  

“It has been an honor and the privilege of a lifetime to serve at the helm of amfAR and champion its cutting-edge work as a pioneer in the fight against HIV/AIDS,” said Frost. “Since my early days at amfAR when Dr. Ellen Cooper recruited me to the organization, I have watched in admiration the progress scientists in the U.S. and around the world have made to end the HIV epidemic. We’re closer today than ever before to meeting the enormity of the challenge.

“Thank you to the Board of Trustees, everyone at amfAR, and all our donors who have entrusted me with this awesome responsibility. I take immense pride in all we have accomplished together and remain committed to the success of the organization under Kyle’s leadership.”

Clifford joined amfAR in 2020 with more than 20 years’ experience across both the private and nonprofit sector in senior new business development, fundraising, and strategic donor development roles. As Chief Development Officer at amfAR, he oversees amfAR’s overall fundraising program, which includes all individual and institutional giving as well as corporate sponsorship, direct mail, e-philanthropy, and a robust special events program that raises tens of millions of dollars annually through benefit events in the U.S. and internationally.

“I am truly honored to step into the role of CEO and deeply grateful to Kevin and the trustees for their trust and support,” said Clifford. “With its bold and innovative funding model, amfAR is driving groundbreaking scientific discoveries that improve global health and unlock new treatments that transform lives. I am incredibly optimistic about the future and look forward to working with our dedicated team to expand amfAR’s impact far beyond HIV.”

Prior to amfAR, Clifford served as Vice President of Development on the leadership team at The Ireland Funds, a global philanthropic network that raised over $650 million to benefit more than 3,200 deserving organizations in Ireland and beyond. At the Funds, he was responsible for successfully developing and growing events, major gifts, corporate, and foundation fundraising revenue. Prior to The Ireland Funds, Clifford’s roles included Director of Corporate Partnerships and Development and Senior Manager of Food Sourcing at City Harvest.

A graduate of The University of Limerick in Ireland with a bachelor’s degree in business studies and Spanish, Clifford has also held a range of senior business development roles in Spain and Ireland.About amfAR

amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, is one of the world’s leading nonprofit organizations dedicated to the support of AIDS research, HIV prevention, treatment education, and advocacy. Since 1985, amfAR has raised more than $900 million in support of its programs and has awarded more than 3,800 grants to research teams worldwide.

Media Contacts:
Karen L. Mateo
(212) 806-1754
karen.mateo@amfar.org

Robert Kessler
(212) 806-1602
robert.kessler@amfar.org

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