Helene D. Gayle

{{Infobox officeholder

| name = Helene Gayle

| image = Helene Gayle 2018.jpg

| caption = Helene Gayle, 2018

| order =

| title = President of Spelman College

| term_start = July 1, 2022

| term_end = October 2024

| predecessor = Mary Schmidt Campbell

| successor = Rosalind Brewer (acting)

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1955|8|16}}

| birth_place = Buffalo, New York, U.S.

| death_date =

| death_place =

| spouse = Stephen Keith

| education = Barnard College (BA)
University of Pennsylvania (MD)
Johns Hopkins University (MPH)

}}

Helene D. Gayle (born August 16, 1955) is an American physician, and academic and non-profit administrator. She was president of Spelman College until 2024.Insight Staff (November 26, 2024). [https://www.insightintodiversity.com/spelman-college-announces-presidents-official-resignation/#:~:text=Spelman%20College%20announced%20the%20end,immediate%20personal%20leave%20of%20absence. Spelman College Announces President’s Official Resignation.] Insight Into Diversity. She formerly was CEO of the Chicago Community Trust, one of the nation's leading community foundations. Earlier in her career she was the director of international humanitarian organization CARE, and spent much of her career in the field of public health research in epidemiology at the CDC.

Early life and education

Helene Gayle was born in Buffalo, New York, to Jacob Astor Gayle,DR. HELENE GAYLE. The History Makers. https://www.thehistorymakers.org/biography/dr-helene-gayle-41#:~:text=Moving%20back%20to%20Buffalo%2C%20Gayle,degree%20in%20psychology a small-business owner, and Marietta Spiller Dabney Gayle, a social worker. She attended Court Street Elementary School and Lancaster Middle School in Lancaster, New York, and in Buffalo, graduated with honors from Woodlawn Junior High School and Bennett High School (Class of 1972). After high school, Gayle attended Baldwin-Wallace College and Barnard College, from which she received a B.A. degree with honors in psychology in 1976. She earned an M.D. at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and an M.P.H. at Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health (now the Bloomberg School).

Gayle is board certified in pediatrics, having completed a residency in pediatric medicine at Children's National Medical Center in Washington, D.C. {{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Changing the Face of Medicine: Biography of Dr. Helene D. Gayle|url=https://cfmedicine.nlm.nih.gov/physicians/biography_125.html|access-date=|website=U.S. National Library of Medicine}} Gayle completed a second residency in preventive medicine at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Career

Beginning in 1984, Gayle spent 20 years with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), focusing on global health and infectious disease prevention and control, especially HIV/AIDS. On assignment from CDC from 1992 to 1994, Gayle was the AIDS coordinator and chief of the HIV/AIDS Division at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). In 1995, she was appointed as the first director of the newly created National Center on HIV, TB and STD Prevention (NCHSTP).{{Cite web|title=Helene D. Gayle|url=https://www.womenofhopkins.com/gayle|access-date=2020-11-25|website=the-women-of-hopkins|language=en}} During that time, she was named an Assistant Surgeon General and Rear Admiral in the United States Public Health Service.{{Cite web|title=Dr. Helene Gayle's Biography|url=https://www.thehistorymakers.org/biography/dr-helene-gayle-41|access-date=2020-11-25|website=The HistoryMakers|language=en}}

Initially on loan from the CDC, she directed the HIV, TB, and Reproductive Health Program at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation from 2001 to 2006. During her 5 years as director, she was responsible for research, policy, public awareness, and programs on HIV/AIDS, TB, STDs and reproductive health around the world.

Gayle was president and CEO of the international humanitarian organization CARE from 2006 to 2015. She led efforts to empower girls and women around the world to bring lasting change to poor communities. Under her leadership, CARE strengthened its focus on advocacy efforts and policy work to have a long-term impact on reducing poverty across the globe. Under her leadership, Gayle introduced signature programs that focused on financial inclusion, maternal health and improving girls' access to quality primary education.

From 2015 to 2017, Gayle was president and CEO of McKinsey Social Initiative (now McKinsey.org), a nonprofit that brings together diverse stakeholders to address complex global social challenges.

In 2017, Gayle became CEO of the Chicago Community Trust (the Trust), one of the nation's oldest and largest community foundations. Under her leadership, the trust adopted a new strategic focus on closing the racial and ethnic wealth gap in the Chicago region. The three-part strategy to close this gap centers around growing household wealth, catalyzing neighborhood investment and building collective power.{{Cite web|title=Our Strategic Plan, The Chicago Community Trust|url=https://www.cct.org/about/strategic-plan/|access-date=2020-11-25|website=The Chicago Community Trust|language=en-US}} Gayle is recognized internationally as an expert on health, global development, and humanitarian issues. She was named one of Forbes' "100 Most Powerful Women," one of NonProfit Times' "Power and Influence Top 50," and of Chicago Magazine's "Chicago's 50 Most Powerful Women."{{Cite web|title=No. 11: Helene D. Gayle|url=http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/May-2020/Women-Power-50/Helene-D-Gayle/|access-date=2020-11-25|website=Chicago magazine|language=en}} She been featured by media outlets like The New York Times, The Washington Post, ForbesWoman, Glamour, O magazine, National Public Radio, and CNN.

Gayle has received 18 honorary degrees and held affiliate and adjunct faculty appointments at the University of Washington and Emory University She has published numerous scientific articles on global and domestic public health issues, poverty alleviation, gender equality, and social justice.{{Cite web|title=Helene D. Gayle, The Chicago Community Trust|url=https://www.cct.org/people/dr-helene-gayle/|access-date=2020-11-25|website=The Chicago Community Trust|language=en-US}}

On July 1, 2022, Gayle began her tenure as president of Spelman College, succeeding Mary Schmidt Campbell.[https://www.spelman.edu/leadership/presidents-office/past-presidents/helene-d-gayle.html#:~:text=Gayle%2C%20M.D.%2C%20MPH-,Helene%20D.,College%20on%20July%201%2C%202022. Past Presidents: Helene D. Gayle, MD, MPH.] Spelman College. In 2024, she resigned as Spelman president.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/spelman-college-president-stepping-down-after-leave-absence|title=Spelman College president stepping down after leave of absence|date=November 22, 2024|website=FOX 5 Atlanta}}

On May 23, 2024, Gayle was among the guests invited to the state dinner hosted by U.S. President Joe Biden in honor of President William Ruto at the White House.Minho Kim (23 May 2024), [https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/23/us/politics/full-guest-list-biden-state-dinner-kenya.html The Full Guest List for Biden’s State Dinner With Kenya] New York Times.

Other activities

=Corporate boards=

Palo Alto Networks, Effective May 25, 2021{{cite web |title=Palo Alto Networks Appoints Dr. Helene D. Gayle to Its Board of Directors |url=https://investors.paloaltonetworks.com/news-releases/news-release-details/palo-alto-networks-appoints-dr-helene-d-gayle-its-board |publisher=Palo Alto Networks |date=2021-02-19}}{{cite web |title=SEC Form 8-K |url=http://d18rn0p25nwr6d.cloudfront.net/CIK-0001327567/0f2f37c3-2a20-4db0-a0ca-0197ddae69a0.pdf |publisher=Palo Alto Networks |date=2021-02-22}}
Coca-Cola, 2013 – present{{cite web |url=http://www.coca-colacompany.com/our-company/board-of-directors-helene-d-gayle |title=Board of Directors |publisher=Coca-Cola |accessdate=January 16, 2014 |archive-date=March 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180309005339/http://www.coca-colacompany.com/our-company/board-of-directors-helene-d-gayle |url-status=dead }}
Colgate-Palmolive Board, 2010 – present{{cite web |url=http://www.colgate.com/app/Colgate/US/Corp/Governance/BoardofDirectors/BoardMembers.cvsp |title=Colgate-Palmolive Board Of Directors | Colgate-Palmolive Board Members |publisher=Colgate.com |date=January 8, 2009 |accessdate=January 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111228212553/http://www.colgate.com/app/Colgate/US/Corp/Governance/BoardofDirectors/BoardMembers.cvsp |archive-date=December 28, 2011 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}

=Non-profit organisations=

Center for Strategic and International Studies Board of Trustees, 2007 – present{{cite web |url=http://csis.org/about-us/board-trustees |title=Board of Trustees | Center for Strategic and International Studies |publisher=Csis.org |accessdate=January 12, 2012 |archive-date=December 28, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121228122824/http://csis.org/about-us/board-trustees |url-status=dead }}
ONE Board, 2006 – present{{cite web |url=http://www.one.org/us/about/oneboard.html |title=Board Of Directors |publisher=One |date=April 28, 1954 |accessdate=January 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101221124534/http://one.org/us/about/oneboard.html |archive-date=December 21, 2010 |url-status=dead }}
Rockefeller Foundation Board of Trustees, 2009 – present{{cite web|url=http://www.rockefellerfoundation.org/about-us/board-trustees |title=Board of Trustees |publisher=The Rockefeller Foundation |accessdate=January 12, 2012}}
Brookings Institution, 2015–present{{Cite news|url=https://www.brookings.edu/about-us/board-of-trustees/|title=Board of Trustees|date=2016-07-22|work=Brookings|access-date=2017-12-20|language=en-US}}
New America, 2013 – present{{Cite web|url=https://www.newamerica.org/our-people/helene-d-gayle/|title=Helene D. Gayle|website=New America|language=en|access-date=2017-12-20}}
[https://www.chicagofed.org/ Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago], Board Chair, 2019 – 2022{{Cite web|url=https://www.chicagofed.org/people/g/gayle-helene |title=Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago – Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago|last=|first=|date=|website=www.chicagofed.org|access-date=2023-02-11}}
[https://www.econclubchi.org/ Economic Club of Chicago] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210612142020/https://econclubchi.org/ |date=June 12, 2021 }}, 2019 –
Inter-American Dialogue, 2018 – present

=Professional society memberships=

Council on Foreign Relations{{cite web|url=http://www.cfr.org/about/membership/roster.html?letter=G# |title=Membership Roster – Council on Foreign Relations |publisher=Cfr.org |accessdate=January 12, 2012}}
Institute of Medicine{{cite web |url=http://iom.edu/About-IOM/Leadership-Staff/Council.aspx |title=IOM Council – Institute of Medicine |publisher=Iom.edu |accessdate=January 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903193920/http://www.iom.edu/About-IOM/Leadership-Staff/Council.aspx |archive-date=September 3, 2011 |url-status=dead }}
Delta Omega Society{{Cite web|url=http://www.deltaomega.org/domanager/MemberList.cfm?u=G|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090531132400/http://www.deltaomega.org/domanager/MemberList.cfm?u=G|url-status=dead|title=Delta Omega|archivedate=May 31, 2009|website=www.deltaomega.org}}
American Public Health Association{{Cite web |url=http://www.apha.org/about/news/pressreleases/2006/06amconcludes.htm |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100616144231/http://www.apha.org/about/news/pressreleases/2006/06amconcludes.htm |url-status=dead |title=APHA: APHA Concludes 2006 Annual Meeting |archivedate=June 16, 2010 |website=www.apha.org}}
National Medical Association
American Medical Women's Association
Society for Public Health Education

Recognition

=Honorary degrees=

American University, Doctor of Science, 2018
Xavier University of Louisiana, Doctor of Science, 2016
University of Buffalo, Doctor of Science, 2016{{Cite web|url=http://www.buffalo.edu/news/releases/2016/04/068.html|title=Prasad, Welch to receive President's Medal at University Commencement – University at Buffalo|website=www.buffalo.edu|language=en|access-date=2018-02-08}}
University of Miami, Doctor of Science, 2013{{Cite web|url=https://commencement.miami.edu/about-us/archives/honorary-degree-recipients/index.html|title=Honorary Degree Recipients|website=commencement.miami.edu|language=en|access-date=2018-02-08}}
Oberlin College, Doctor of Science, 2011{{cite web|url=http://new.oberlin.edu/home/news-media/press/detail.dot?id=2787305 |title=News – Oberlin College |publisher=New.oberlin.edu |date=March 15, 2011 |accessdate=January 12, 2012}}
Colby College, Doctor of Humane Letters, 2010{{Cite web|url=https://www.colby.edu/commencement/helene-d-gayle/|title=Helene D. Gayle {{!}} Commencement|website=www.colby.edu|language=en|access-date=2018-02-08}}
Columbia University, Doctor of Laws, 2009{{cite web |url=http://news.columbia.edu/oncampus/1587 |title=Columbia University |publisher=News.columbia.edu |date=June 11, 2009 |accessdate=January 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111008014221/http://news.columbia.edu/oncampus/1587 |archive-date=October 8, 2011 |url-status=dead }}
Agnes Scott College, Doctor of Science, 2009{{cite web|url=http://www.agnesscott.edu/news/newsDetails.aspx?Channel=%2FChannels%2FAdmissions%2FAdmissions+Content&WorkflowItemID=7cf51aef-3e65-40bd-9d16-3ea199fd661e |title=Agnes Scott |publisher=Agnesscott.edu |accessdate=January 12, 2012}}
Brandeis University, Doctor of Humane Letters, 2008{{cite web|url=http://www.brandeis.edu/trustees/hdr.html |title=Brandeis University |publisher=Brandeis.edu |accessdate=January 12, 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100726124715/http://www.brandeis.edu/trustees/hdr.html |archivedate=July 26, 2010 |df=mdy-all }}
Morehouse School of Medicine, Doctor of Science, 2008
Mount Sinai School of Medicine of New York University, Doctor of Humane Letters, 2008
Duke University, Doctor of Science, 2008[http://www.dukenews.duke.edu/2008/03/honorary.html Duke University] {{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
Meharry Medical College, Doctor of Science 2007{{cite web |url=http://www.mmc.edu/news/132_commencement_celebration.html |title=Meharry Medical College |publisher=Mmc.edu |accessdate=January 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308121221/http://www.mmc.edu/news/132_commencement_celebration.html |archive-date=March 8, 2012 |url-status=dead }}
Smith College, Doctor of Science, 2007{{cite web|url=http://www.smith.edu/collegerelations/honorary.php |title=Smith College |publisher=Smith.edu |accessdate=January 12, 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528070612/http://www.smith.edu/collegerelations/honorary.php |archivedate=May 28, 2010 |df=mdy-all }}
Pennsylvania State University, Doctor of Science, 2004{{cite web |url=http://live.psu.edu/story/6106 |title=Pennsylvania State University |publisher=Live.psu.edu |date=March 25, 2004 |accessdate=January 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306060804/http://live.psu.edu/story/6106 |archive-date=March 6, 2012 |url-status=dead }}
Jackson State University, Doctor of Humane Letters, 2004

=Awards and honors=

Teachers College, Columbia University, Medal for Distinguished Service, 2018{{Cite web|url=http://www.tc.columbia.edu/articles/2018/may/optimism-in-the-face-of-daunting-challenge/|title=Convocation 2018: Optimism in the Face of Daunting Challenge|website=Teachers College - Columbia University|language=en|access-date=2018-07-02}}
Johns Hopkins University Society of Scholars, inducted 2017{{Cite news|url=https://hub.jhu.edu/2017/04/04/society-of-scholars/|title=Johns Hopkins Society of Scholars honors new inductees|date=2017-04-04|work=The Hub|access-date=2018-02-16|language=en}}
American Public Health Association Presidential Citation Award, 2015{{Cite web|url=https://apha.org/news-and-media/news-releases/apha-news-releases/2015/2015-award-winners|title=APHA announces 2015 APHA award winners|website=apha.org|access-date=2018-02-16}}
WNBA Inspiration Award, 2015{{Cite web|title=Award-Winning Humanitarian Dr. Helene D. Gayle To Receive 2015 WNBA Inspiration Award|url=https://www.wnba.com/news/award-winning-humanitarian-dr-helene-d-gayle-to-receive-2015-wnba-inspiration-award/|access-date=2021-04-12|website=WNBA.com - Official Site of the WNBA|language=en}}
Jimmy and Rosslyn Carter Humanitarian Award, National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, 2012{{Cite news|title=Recipient of the 2012 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Humanitarian Award|work=www.nfid.org|url=https://www.nfid.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/gayle.pdf|access-date=April 12, 2021|archive-date=April 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210412104123/https://www.nfid.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/gayle.pdf|url-status=dead}}
Forbes Magazine 100 Most Powerful Women, 2014{{cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/helene-gayle/ |title=Helene Gayle |work=Forbes |accessdate=January 12, 2012}}
The NonProfit Times Power and Influence Top 50, 2011{{cite web |last=Clolery |first=Paul |date=August 1, 2011 |title=Power and Influence Top 50 '11 |url=http://www.thenonprofittimes.com/print/1311972127_Top50Power&Influence.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120806191327/http://www.thenonprofittimes.com/print/1311972127_Top50Power%26Influence.pdf |archive-date=August 6, 2012 |website=Nonprofit Times}}
Bryn Mawr College, Katharine Hepburn Award, 2011{{cite web |url=http://www.brynmawr.edu/hepburn/medal.shtml |title=Katharine Houghton Hepburn Center | Bryn Mawr College| Hepburn Medal |publisher=Brynmawr.edu |date=February 12, 2011 |accessdate=January 12, 2012 |archive-date=October 19, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019041623/http://www.brynmawr.edu/hepburn/medal.shtml |url-status=dead }}
AARP Inspire Award, 2010
Bennett High Alumni Honor Roll, 2010
Georgia State University, Ethics Advocate Award, 2009{{cite web|url=http://www.gsu.edu/39545.html |title=CARE CEO Helene Gayle receives Ethics Advocate Award – Georgia State University |publisher=Gsu.edu |accessdate=January 12, 2012}}
Business to Business Magazine, Women of Excellence Award, 2009{{cite web|url=http://www.btobmagazine.com/Articles/2009/July_Aug_2009/2009woe.html |title=B2B Magazine |publisher=Btobmagazine.com |accessdate=January 12, 2012}}
100 Most Influential Atlantans Award, 2009{{cite news|url=http://atlanta.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2010/06/21/focus2.html?page=8 |title=Atlanta Business Chronicle |publisher=Atlanta.bizjournals.com |accessdate=January 12, 2012}}
Ivan Allen College, Georgia Institute of Technology, Ivan Allen Jr. Prize for Social Courage, 2009
South African Partners, Desmond Tutu Award, 2009{{cite web|url=http://www.prweb.com/releases/South_Africa_Partners/2009/prweb1928544.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010194807/http://www.prweb.com/releases/South_Africa_Partners/2009/prweb1928544.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 10, 2012 |title=PRWeb |publisher=PRWeb |date=January 29, 2009 |accessdate=January 12, 2012}}
Morehouse College, Coca-Cola Leadership Award, 2008{{cite web |url=http://www.morehouse.edu/centers/leadershipcenter/cocacolalectures.html |title=Morehouse College |publisher=Morehouse.edu |accessdate=January 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229165117/http://www.morehouse.edu/centers/leadershipcenter/cocacolalectures.html |archive-date=February 29, 2012 |url-status=dead }}
Americans for Informed Democracy, Innovator in International Development Award, 2008{{Cite web |url=http://www.aidemocracy.org/Innovators2008.php |title=Americans for Informed Democracy |access-date=August 4, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100907052902/http://www.aidemocracy.org/Innovators2008.php |archive-date=September 7, 2010 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}
Cable Positive, Humanitarian of the Year Award, 2008{{cite web |url=http://think.mtv.com/044FDFFFF00EDB49500170098EB6F/ |title=think MTV |publisher=think MTV |accessdate=January 12, 2012 |archive-date=September 5, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905202808/http://think.mtv.com/044FDFFFF00EDB49500170098EB6F/ |url-status=dead }}
Wall Street Journal, "50 Women to Watch", 2006Chase, Marilyn. "The 50 Women to Watch 2006." The Wall Street Journal [New York, NY] November 20, 2006.
Eleanor Roosevelt Val-Kill Medal, 2006{{cite web |url=http://www.ervk.org/html/medalists.html |title=Eleanor Roosevelt Center at Val-Kill |publisher=Ervk.org |accessdate=January 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120123082634/http://ervk.org/html/medalists.html |archive-date=January 23, 2012 |url-status=dead }}
Helen H. Jackson, Woman of Valor Award, 2006
Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health, Leadership in Global Medicine Award, 2005
Women of Color, Health Science & Technology Awards: Medical Leadership in Industry, 2002{{cite web|url=http://www.blackengineer.com/Newsletters/newsletters/Women%20of%20ColorWinners%20Release.htm |title=Career Communications Group, Inc |publisher=Blackengineer.com |date=February 21, 2002 |accessdate=January 12, 2012}}
National Medical Association, Scroll of Merit Award, 2000
Women Looking Ahead, Inc., The Women Looking Ahead (WLA) 100s List Award, 1999
100 Black Men of America, Inc., Woman of the Year Award, 1999
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Secretary's Award for Distinguished Service, 1999, 2001
Atlanta Business League, Women of Influence Award, 1998
Public Health Service Foreign Duty Award, 1997
Public Health Service Meritorious Service Medal, 1996
Columbia University Medal of Excellence, 1996{{cite web|url=http://www.columbia.edu/cu/secretary/pdf_and_word/university_medal_for_excellence_recipients.pdf |title=Columbia University |publisher=Columbia.edu |accessdate=January 12, 2012}}
National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., Service Award, 1999
Who's Who Among Black Americans, 1990, 1993 and 1994