President and CEO of CARE USA to Speak at Heller Commencement

Dr. Helene Gayle, President and CEO of CARE USA, one of the world’s premier international relief and development organizations, will deliver the commencement address at Heller's commencement ceremony on May 18.

With programs in over 60 countries, CARE helps people in poor communities expand the control they have over their own lives to advance positive, enduring social change. Women are at the heart of CARE’s community-based efforts to improve education, prevent the spread of HIV, increase access to water and sanitation, expand economic opportunity and protect natural resources. CARE advocates for polices that defend the dignity of all people and promote the eradication of poverty.

Dr. Gayle’s accomplishments in public health and dedication to social service make her ideally suited to lead CARE. She is currently on the boards of the Institute of Medicine and the Council on Foreign Relations. She worked for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for 20 years in a variety of positions, from staff epidemiologist to director for the National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention. Prior to assuming her current position, she was director of the HIV, TB and Reproductive Health Program at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Dr. Gayle received her medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania and master’s in public health from John Hopkins University, and is a graduate of Barnard College of Columbia University.