Xan Harrington is a seasoned health policy and government administration expert, currently residing in Zug, Switzerland with his wife and two young sons.
In 2023, following a distinguished career in public service, Xan launched a consulting practice focused on improving organizational performance and driving measurable impact in public health, healthcare delivery, and crisis management. He advises clients across sectors—including large consulting firms such as BCG and Deloitte—on navigating the U.S. federal, state, and local health markets, leveraging his deep experience in public sector operations and policy.
Recently, during a two-year stint in South Africa, Xan supported a leading medical aid scheme in revising its organizational strategy and advised the National Department of Health on policy reforms aimed at addressing the country’s rising cancer burden.
Prior to launching his practice, Xan served as the Management Officer for the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In that role, he led operations for a workforce of over 2,000 staff and managed billions in public health funding. As part of the Center’s executive leadership team, he helped guide programs that deliver life-saving vaccinations, respond to global health emergencies, and build national disease surveillance systems.
Xan was also a key operations leader in CDC’s COVID-19 response, overseeing emergency resource allocation, coordinating staffing and logistics, and leading the development of implementation guidance for state and local COVID-19 vaccination and equity initiatives.
Over the course of his CDC career, Xan held senior roles in health policy, budget planning, strategic initiatives, and program management. His earlier experience includes work at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Deloitte Consulting, where he developed a strong foundation in public administration and strategic advisory services.
Xan holds an Executive MBA and an MS in Healthcare Policy and Research from Cornell University, and a BS in Political Science from Appalachian State University.
Sound judgment for today's complex problems 