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Procurement and Supply Institute of Asia chairman Charlie Villaseñor has been appointed senior supply chain advisor under the US State Department’s LEAP program
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Role supports the Philippine Department of Health in strengthening public health supply chains
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Appointment comes amid rising complexity in global healthcare logistics and infectious disease preparedness
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Villaseñor to focus on end-to-end supply chain modernization, crisis readiness, and system resilience
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LEAP program aims to embed technical expertise within national health systems to combat epidemics
Charlie Villaseñor, chairman of the Procurement and Supply Institute of Asia (PASIA), has been appointed Senior Supply Chain Advisor under the United States Department of State’s Long-Term Exceptional Technical Assistance Project (LEAP), a program focused on strengthening national capacities to manage infectious disease threats.
Under the LEAP initiative, Villaseñor will provide technical expertise to help reinforce public health supply chains in the Philippines, working in support of the Department of Health (DOH).
The program aims to ensure that infectious disease response systems are embedded within national health institutions and equipped with the technical capabilities needed to manage epidemics effectively.
Villaseñor’s appointment comes as healthcare supply chains face growing complexity, increasing the need for ethical, efficient, and digitally enabled systems to ensure the timely delivery of life-saving medical commodities.
“I took on this additional role and responsibility because it offers a unique opportunity to serve our country’s public health programs,” Villaseñor said in a statement.
“I am particularly motivated by the vision of DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa. His desire and push to address and modernize the supply chain—especially as it grows more complex—is exactly what the country needs right now.”
He also cited the role of DOH undersecretary Randy Escolango in advancing supply chain reforms, describing him as a “supportive and dynamic driver” of DOH supply chain programs who has helped align international expertise with domestic health priorities.
A global leader in procurement and supply chain management, Villaseñor brings decades of experience across multiple industries and volatile market environments. In his advisory role, he will focus on strengthening end-to-end supply chain, procurement, and logistics systems to build resilience against extreme disruptions.
His mandate includes:
• Modernizing supply chain planning, procurement, and nationwide distribution of medical supplies;
• Developing stress-test protocols to improve preparedness for outbreaks, pandemics, and geopolitical shocks;
• Ensuring that public health supply chain systems are scalable and sustainable for future generations.
“An efficient supply chain is most critical during times of severe challenge—be it outbreaks or even wars,” Villaseñor said. “We are doing this for our children and the generations to come. A secure supply chain isn’t just about business; it’s about saving lives.”
