Board-certified in pediatrics, Dr. Helene D. Gayle is an expert on health, global development and humanitarian issues. She served as president and CEO of the McKinsey Social Initiative and the humanitarian organization CARE, directed the HIV, TB and Reproductive Health Program at the Gates Foundation, and focused on HIV/AIDS and other public health challenges for 20 years at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Dr. Gayle is considered a top female leader and global thinker. She was named one of the world’s 100 most powerful women by Forbes magazine and has been honored with many awards for her contributions in addressing complex global and social challenges. Leading efforts to empower girls and women worldwide, Dr. Gayle has helped bring lasting change to poor communities, improved the availability of safe pregnancy and delivery services, and increased access to quality education, leadership skills and basic financial services. She has also tackled the problem of youth unemployment, connecting young people with skills to jobs.Dr. Gayle is currently president and CEO of the Chicago Community Trust, one of the nation’s leading community foundations, and serves on several boards.