Liliana De Lima, MHA
Executive director - Ex-officio
As Executive Director of the International Association for Hospice and Palliative Care (IAHPC), Liliana serves as the organization’s chief executive officer and leads the implementation of its mission and strategic priorities. Her work focuses on supporting palliative care integration and increase in adequate care provision, with the goal of relieving serious health related suffering.
In her role, Liliana provides day-to-day executive management of the organization’s operations and oversees the implementation of the IAHPC Strategic Plan across the organization’s four core areas of work: Advocacy, Education, Research, and Communication. She implements policies and advances the goals and objectives approved by the Board of Directors, while supervising and managing staff, programs, and organizational resources.
By supporting and coordinating officers and staff, executing contracts and agreements authorized by the Board, and working closely with and reporting regularly to the Board of Directors, Liliana ensures effective governance, accountability, and alignment with the organization’s mission. She also ensures that the IAHPC consistently upholds its core values of commitment, excellence, efficiency, creativity, compassion, respect, and service to others.
Liliana is responsible for identifying potential funders, developing grant proposals and reports, and setting operational priorities in alignment with available resources. She ensures sound financial stewardship through responsible budget planning, fiscal oversight, and transparent management of organizational resources. Through her stewardship, and with the generosity of her and her husband, the IAHPC has successfully secured and managed the financial resources needed to implement past and current Strategic Plans.
Liliana joined the IAHPC in 1999 as its first and only employee. Under her leadership, the organization has grown substantially and is now recognized as a leading global authority in hospice and palliative care. During her tenure, the IAHPC has designed and produced a wide range of resources, publications, and practical tools that support the integration of palliative care into health systems and improve care provision worldwide. She has played a key role in building and sustaining strong partnerships with regional and national palliative care associations, and in fostering productive relationships with IAHPC members.
Liliana has a background in clinical psychology, holds a postgraduate degree in healthcare administration, and completed a fellowship in Pain and Policy Studies.
Outside of her professional work, Liliana enjoys reading, taking walking tours in the countryside with her husband, and spending time with their children and grandchildren.