The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation is the world’s largest public foundation dedicated to creating a world free from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). As CEO, Michael Osso leads the mission and operations of this national organization headquartered in New York, New York with offices in 40 locations across the U.S.

Michael began his association with the Foundation in 2013, when he joined the senior leadership team as Chief Business Development Officer, driving significant revenue growth. He was named president and CEO in August 2015.

Michael is deeply committed to the mission of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, and has focused his efforts on ensuring the Foundation plays the essential role of leader, convener, and innovator for the IBD community. Working with hundreds of dedicated staff and thousands of volunteers, under Michael’s leadership the Foundation has introduced a number of transformational initiatives aimed at accelerating innovative IBD research and advancing patient advocacy and care.

  • In 2017 the organization launched IBD Plexus®, a groundbreaking effort that facilitates pioneering partnerships with researchers and leverages data and biosamples collected at diverse research sites across the country. IBD Plexus provides academic and industry investigators with expedited access to research-ready datasets and samples, in order to speed treatment development and enhance the care of people living with IBD.
  • In a quest to accelerate the development of new products for Crohn’s and colitis patients, in 2018 the Foundation launched IBD Ventures, a venture philanthropy mechanism with a goal of supporting and speeding product discovery and development.
  • In 2019 the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation launched an organization-wide Diversity & Inclusion initiative whose aim is to develop and implement strategies and practices to support a diverse and inclusive staff and volunteer base, that are reflective of the diverse community of IBD patients.

Since graduating from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, Michael has spent his entire professional career advancing the missions of non-profit organizations. Prior to joining the Foundation, Michael spent seven years at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society – first as the Executive Director of its New York City Chapter and then as SVP of Revenue at the national office. Before his work in the health arena, Michael was the Executive Director of Careers through Culinary Arts Program, and worked for a variety of cultural organizations, including the Mark Morris Dance Group, José Limón Dance Foundation, and City Center Theater.