Blue Zones Project Palm Springs Names New Executive Director

Blue Zones Project Palm Springs has appointed Mihai Patru as its Executive Director. Patru leads the charge in bringing the Project to life – reshaping the places and spaces residents live, work, learn, and play to support healthier, more vibrant lives.

Patru, a Palm Springs resident, brings deep experience in inclusive economic development, community building, and cross-sector collaboration to the Project. Before joining Blue Zones Project Palm Springs, Patru co-founded and led Caravanserai – Alliance for Entrepreneurs. This regional initiative empowers California entrepreneurs to access capital and build resilient, community-rooted businesses.

His commitment to inclusive economic development has been recognized through appointments as Entrepreneur in Residence and Senior Fellow at the University of California, Riverside, and as a Senior Fellow at the Center for Transatlantic Relations at Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies. In 2022, Patru was appointed by the Governor of California to serve on the state’s Entrepreneurship and Economic Mobility Task Force, further advancing his work to expand opportunity across diverse communities. His leadership spans global diplomacy, statewide policy, and hyperlocal economic development—bringing a rare blend of perspective to community transformation in Palm Springs.

Patru said, “Stepping into this role with Blue Zones Project Palm Springs is both a personal and collective opportunity. This city has such a rich legacy of innovation and resilience, and I’m excited to work alongside local champions to create environments that make well-being not just aspirational, but automatic. I am looking forward to building a healthier, more connected Palm Springs – one that reflects the best of who we are and what we can become.”

“Mihai brings a rare blend of global insight and local commitment that embodies the Blue Zones ethos,” said Shelly Trumbo, COO of Blue Zones. “As the Project in Palm Springs continues to deepen its impact, Mihai’s leadership will help elevate its role as a regional catalyst.”

Blue Zones Project in Palm Springs is a multi-year collaborative effort that involves the entire community working toward one common goal: to support and build a culture of health and well-being.

Blue Zones Project is led in Riverside County by Blue Zones with support from Riverside University Health System Public Health, Inland Empire Health Plan Foundation, Kaiser Permanente, Molina Healthcare, and Eisenhower Health. Working with the County of Riverside and the Cities of Riverside, Banning, Palm Springs, and Coachella, the partners share one goal: strengthen community well-being through lasting changes to local environments, policies, and social networks. Projects are underway in Riverside, Banning, Coachella, and Palm Springs, and Mead Valley is beginning a policy-focused Blue Zones Activate.

Blue Zones Project is a community well-being initiative built on research by founder Dan Buettner, who identified five regions of the world where people live the longest. Blue Zones uses those insights to help cities adopt policies and programs that make healthy choices easier. Since the first pilot in Albert Lea, Minnesota in 2009, the model has reached more than 75 communities and has contributed to large drops in obesity and tobacco use while reducing healthcare costs. Learn more at bluezones.com.