Meet John Slattery, Orbis’s Chair of the Board of Directors

John’s connection to Orbis spans nearly two decades and began through our unique ties to aviation. Living in New York in the early 2000s, he was drawn to Orbis through the Flying Eye Hospital—our one-of-a-kind ophthalmic teaching hospital that delivers sight-saving training and care around the world.

“What first drew me in was Orbis’s relationship with the aviation community and the MD‑10 Flying Eye Hospital,” John shares. “That connection continues to resonate with me today, because it represents both innovation and purpose—using aviation to change lives.”

John has been engaged with our work ever since. He first joined our Board of Directors in 2006, serving until 2013, when he was elected Board Member Emeritus. He returned to the Board in 2023, also serving as Chair of the Development Committee and a member of the Nominating and Governance Committee.

Across nearly two decades, John has remained a steadfast advocate for our mission, playing a pivotal role in building the critical support needed to carry out our work—most recently helping to achieve a record-breaking gala in 2025.

John believes that limited access to eye care is one of the most urgent—and solvable—global health challenges of our time.

“Of all the senses to lose, vision loss has the most profound impact, not just on the individual but on families and entire communities,” he says. “When I began to understand that, with focus and commitment, it’s realistically possible to eliminate avoidable blindness in our lifetimes, it became a challenge I deeply connected with.”

That conviction is rooted in personal experience. Growing up in the west of Ireland, John recalls watching his mother spend one day a week visiting people in their local community who were blind—offering companionship, support, and dignity.

“It taught me, from a very young age, the art and the gift of giving,” John reflects. “In many ways, my association with Orbis is a legacy and homage to my dear mum.”

As Chair, John succeeds an esteemed group of leaders and sees the role as both an honor and a responsibility.

“Following an outstanding list of Chairs before me, I’m truly honored to be elected by the Board,” he says. “My focus will be on supporting our new CEO and management team, strengthening how we operate as a Board, and applying lean operating principles to help Orbis work as effectively as possible.”

John is also clear about what it will take to scale Orbis’s impact.

“Our oxygen is funding,” he says. “I want us to meaningfully increase our annual fundraising so we can help even more people access quality eye care and ensure Orbis is recognized globally as a thought leader in the eye health space.”

John is a seasoned aerospace executive with more than 25 years of leadership experience across the global aviation industry, having served as former CEO of both GE Aviation, the world’s leading provider of jet and turboprop engines and aircraft systems, and Embraer Commercial Aviation, a major global manufacturer of commercial aircraft. He currently serves as Chairman at Forgital Group, a manufacturer of aerospace and industrial forged components, and sits on the board of NYSE-listed BETA Technologies.

With decades of experience leading complex global organizations—and a personal commitment to clear vision—John brings both the expertise and passion to help Orbis create a future where no one loses their sight to avoidable causes.