PHA Names New President and CEO, Matt Granato

Matt J. Granato is the newly named president and CEO of the Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA), the nonprofit group announced.

Granato, who has more than 20 years of experience working in nonprofits and healthcare associations, will assume this office and its duties on Jan. 4.

He is the third president and CEO of PHA in its 30-year history. Launched in 1991 by patients and a caregiver, the group’s goal is to build a community of support, as well as to foster education and support research into pulmonary hypertension (PH).

“PHA’s mission to extend and improve the lives of patients and their families has been a common thread throughout my career, and I am honored to work toward that goal as PHA’s next president and CEO,” Granato said in a press release.

“I look forward to working with a talented group of professionals and committed volunteer leaders, and especially with patients and their families, to make a difference in the lives of those affected by PH,” he added.

For the past four years, Granato served as the CEO of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM), which focuses on helping people with high-risk pregnancies. There, he worked to meet the needs of both healthcare providers and their patients.

As a CEO, he led a strategic plan that emphasized advocacy, research, and education. The effort resulted in a membership growth of 52%, and record-breaking attendance at the SMFM’s 2019 Annual Meeting. Previously, Granato served as the executive director for an association of college health centers, and worked for a transfusion medicine trade association.

“We are thrilled to welcome Matt Granato to PHA,” said Colleen Brunetti, chair of the PHA’s board of trustees. “Matt brings to the organization an impressive resume and skill set, along with a 21st-century leadership style that will help us grow our mission, support our staff and lead us into our 30th anniversary year with a clear vision for success and progress.”

Through his leadership, she added, the PHA “is poised for continued success.”

Granato succeeds Brad A. Wong as CEO of PHA, whose term began in 2016 and expires at year’s end. Under Wong’s direction, the PHA continued to promote patient care and research, raise awareness of the disease, and amplify the voice of people with PH.