Joe Cerrell is the director of the foundation’s Europe office. In this new role, Joe will oversee the Gates Foundation's policy, advocacy, and communications activities in Europe. His team will expand the foundation’s partnerships with European non-governmental organizations, foundations, governments, multilateral organizations, and other groups, and manage a portfolio of policy and advocacy grants.
Previously, Joe was the director of Global Health Policy & Advocacy where he oversaw the foundation's global health communications, public policy and international finance activities. Prior to joining the foundation, Cerrell served as assistant press secretary to former U.S. Vice President Al Gore. He was a senior member of a team responsible for advising the vice president on energy and environmental issues and was a White House liaison to elected officials, industry, environmental, religious, and labor leaders, and the media. Cerrell also acted as U.S. spokesperson for numerous vice-presidential international state visits.
Cerrell provided communications support and served as an advisor for three U.S. presidential campaigns. He was vice president of the philanthropy practice at APCO Worldwide, overseeing the agency's nonprofit and foundation clients. He currently serves on the board of directors for the ONE Campaign, UNITAID, the Seattle Biomedical Research Institute, and the Music National Service Initiative. He is also an advisory board member of the Clinton Global Initiative.
Cerrell received a bachelor's degree from the University of Southern California.