Gavin Payne to Join Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation As New Director for US Programs Policy & Advocacy

Media contact

SEATTLE (October 14, 2013) — US Program is pleased to announce that on November 11, Gavin Payne will join the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation as the new director for USP Policy & Advocacy (USPA).

For the past three years, Gavin's national education policy consultancy has provided strategic counsel, advocacy and technical support to states and organizations, helped transform state education agencies though coaching their leaders and staff, and helped build coalitions to implement college and career ready standards in states.  Prior to starting his own consultancy, Gavin served for over seven years with the California Department of Education as its Chief Deputy State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Before that, he was Chief of Staff to the California State Senate Majority Caucus Chair.

About the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, it focuses on improving people’s health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty. In the United States, it seeks to ensure that all people—especially those with the fewest resources—have access to the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life. Based in Seattle, Washington, the foundation is led by CEO Jeff Raikes and Co-chair William H. Gates Sr., under the direction of Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett.

###