Carolyn Wendell

Carolyn Wendell is a Senior Officer in Strategy Planning and Management for Vaccine Development and Surveillance at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. She has a robust background in strategy and operations management, particularly within the philanthropic sector, and has held various roles at the foundation since 2019.

Professional Background

• Current Role: As of March 2024, she serves as the Deputy Director of Strategy, Planning, and Management at the Gates Foundation, focusing on the Early Learning & Assessment team. Prior to this, she was a Senior Officer in the Global Health division, where she managed strategy and planning for clinical vaccine development and surveillance from March 2019 to April 2023.12

• Previous Experience: Wendell has also worked as a Senior Strategy Officer in the Foundation Strategy Office, providing consulting support and managing incubation projects within the US Education division. Her experience includes an MBA from INSEAD Business School and coursework in Public Health from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.12

Skills and Expertise

Wendell is skilled in partner management, operations, community management, and strategic planning. Her strong program management abilities are complemented by her people management skills, making her a valuable asset in her current role at the Gates Foundation.1