Elisabeth Kasilingam
Elisabeth Kasilingam is a distinguished leader in the European health advocacy community, currently serving as the Chief Executive Officer of the European Multiple Sclerosis Platform (EMSP) and Vice President of the European Patients’ Forum (EPF). With a career spanning over 15 years, she has been instrumental in advancing the quality of life for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and other chronic conditions through strategic, impactful projects and policy initiatives.
Elisabeth's journey with EMSP began in 2008 when she joined as a member of the Secretariat. Her dedication and expertise led to her appointment as Managing Director in 2016, and later as CEO. She has been pivotal in developing capacity-building programs to strengthen national MS patient organizations, advocating for health and social policies, and nurturing young patient advocates. Her efforts include leading the influential MS Barometer and related surveys, which provide critical data to shape policies that improve the lives of those affected by MS across Europe.
In addition to her role at EMSP, Elisabeth has been actively involved with the European Patients’ Forum since 2018, where she started as a Board member and later took on the role of Treasurer. Her background in law and European affairs, coupled with a deep commitment to human rights, has been a driving force in her work with Brussels-based NGOs such as Eurochild and EPF.
Elisabeth’s leadership is marked by a clear mandate to enhance access to care, employment opportunities, and overall quality of life for people with MS, demonstrating a steadfast commitment to the members and goals of these organizations.