Hirsh departs American Red Cross

11/06/2025 - After more than two decades of service, John Hirsh has departed the CNMI Chapter of the American Red Cross.

In a message sent to staff across the CNMI, Guam, and Hawai’i, Molly Schmidt, a new Chief Executive for the Pacific Islands, thanked Hirsh for his impact on the communities he served and announced his exit on October 8, 2025.

In a statement to Marianas Press, Hirsh clarified that he did not retire from the Red Cross. He explained that he was “released from the organization due to differences regarding the level of control exercised by the Hawai’i Red Cross office over all aspects of local Chapter operations in the CNMI, particularly fundraising."

He noted that since the NMI Chapter’s founding in 1978, the national and Hawai’i offices empowered the local program in the CNMI to meet the region’s unique challenges. However, under new leadership, there is an apparent shift in power and decisions impacting the Marianas are now made in Hawai’i with minimal or no input from local staff or volunteers, Hirsh said. 

Hirsh believes the Red Cross will still be able to respond to major storms, but is concerned about greater reliance on off-island volunteers. 

Even with the departure from the chapter, Hirsh is not leaving Saipan. He said he is grateful to have worked with so many devoted and compassionate volunteers, board members, partners, donors, and staff throughout the CNMI, Guam, and Micronesia. 

Report by Thomas Manglona II