Nationally-recognized leader in patient advocacy, nonprofit leadership, and fundraising.
Christian is the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Peggy Lillis Foundation for C. diff Education & Advocacy (PLF), the leading national nonprofit dedicated to building a nationwide Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) awareness movement by educating the public, empowering advocates, and shaping policy. Christian and his brother, Liam, founded PLF in response to the April 2010 death of their mother, Margaret “Peggy” Lillis, a 56-year-old Brooklyn kindergarten teacher, from a community-acquired CDI.
Christian has over 20 years of experience in fundraising, patient advocacy, and nonprofit management. Before focusing his professional efforts on PLF, Christian was managing director of prospect strategy & research at Teach For America. Other previous roles include serving as director of development for In The Life Media, director of major gifts for the National LGBTQ Task Force, and associate director of development research for NYU Langone Medical Center. See About.
Christian (right) speaking at OHA's 2017 Quality Summit
Patient advocacy
Christian is a nationally-recognized leader in protecting patients from Clostridioides difficile and other healthcare associated infections. He has advised healthcare systems, government agencies and industry. Christian has been interviewed by USA Today, Reuters, and Consumer Reports. In 2013, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention recognized Christian with the Excellence in Partnership Award.
fundraising STRATEGY
Christian has over 20 years of experience formulating successful fundraising strategies for leading nonprofits in healthcare, K-12 education, and LGBTQ advocacy. These strategies include prospect identification and research, major gifts cultivation, solicitation and stewardship, corporate sponsorship, special events, and board fundraising.
speaking & writing
Christian is a sought-after speaker and writer on C. diff infections, patient advocacy, fundraising, and prospect research. He has addressed prominent hospital systems and associations, government agencies, Fortune 500 companies, professional societies, and not-for-profits. Christian's writing has appeared in the Albany Times Union, Baltimore Sun, and Cleveland Plain Dealer, among other places.