Kathy Crosby is president and CEO of Truth Initiative, the nation’s largest nonprofit public health organization dedicated to achieving a culture where all young people reject smoking, vaping and nicotine, and a future where commercial tobacco and nicotine addiction are a thing of the past. She leads all aspects of the organization’s lifesaving work, including developing innovative and high-profile public education campaigns, groundbreaking research initiatives, impactful community and youth engagement programs, and highly effective nicotine cessation tools for all ages.
Crosby’s commitment to public health and her belief in the power of education and communication to create meaningful behavior change have been evident throughout her distinguished 30-year career. Before joining Truth Initiative in October 2023, Crosby served for 12 years in the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) as its first director of the Office of Health Communication and Education. In this role, she spearheaded a range of impactful public education and regulatory communication programs that have contributed significantly to reducing tobacco use and the successful implementation of the Tobacco Control Act.a
At the FDA, Crosby also served on the CTP’s executive leadership team, where she shaped national policy development, cutting-edge social science research, regulatory actions, communications, and strategic outreach. Notable accomplishments under her guidance include her involvement in the formulation of health warnings for cigarette packages and advertisements, groundbreaking research on health equity, and regulations and marketing restrictions for emerging and newly authorized tobacco products.
Crosby’s previous experience includes serving as senior vice president and group campaign director of the Washington office of the AdCouncil, the national nonprofit behind major social impact campaigns. Prior to that, she also worked at the advertising agency Arnold Worldwide as vice president of strategic planning, where she helped launch Truth Initiative’s very first iconic Truth campaign, igniting her passion and commitment to help people live healthier lives.
