Helene Gayle

Dr. Helene D. Gayle is the CEO of The Chicago Community Trust, a leading community foundation in the region, focusing on connecting donors with community needs for the betterment of metropolitan Chicago.

With a rich background in global development, humanitarian issues, and health, Dr. Gayle has held significant leadership roles in prestigious organizations such as McKinsey Social Initiative, CARE USA, the Centers for Disease Control, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

She serves on multiple boards including The Coca-Cola Company, Colgate-Palmolive Company, the Rockefeller Foundation, and several non-profits, demonstrating her commitment to societal impact and corporate governance.

As a respected expert, she is affiliated with esteemed institutions like the Council on Foreign Relations, the American Public Health Association, and the Institute of Medicine.

Recognized for her influence, she has been named one of Forbes' '100 Most Powerful Women' and has contributed extensively through articles on diverse public health issues, poverty alleviation, gender equality, and social justice.

Dr. Gayle's academic journey includes earning a B.A. in psychology from Barnard College, an M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, and an M.P.H. from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. She holds multiple honorary degrees and serves as a faculty member at the University of Washington and Emory University.