Direct Relief (formerly known as Direct Relief International) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization with a stated mission to “improve the health and lives of people affected by poverty or emergency situations by mobilizing and providing essential medical resources needed for their care." The organization is headed by a 31-member Board of Directors and President and CEO Thomas Tighe. Tighe came to Direct Relief from the Peace Corps, where he served as Chief-of-Staff and Chief Operating Officer from 1995-2000.