United States Program Leadership Team

Our United States Program leadership team oversees the foundation's work on educations, libraries and access to the Internet, and emergency relief in the U.S. as well as community grants and local efforts in the Pacific Northwest. Visit the United States Program page to learn more about this work.

Leadership Overview

Global Development Program Leadership Team

Global Health Program Leadership Team

Operations Leadership Team

Allan C. GolstonPresident
United States ProgramAllan C. Golston leads the foundation’s efforts to increase opportunity and advance student achievement for all young people in the United States through evidence-based education reforms and innovations.

David BleyDirector, Pacific Northwest Initiative
United States ProgramDavid Bley oversees local grantmaking and the development and implementation of strategies to help vulnerable children and families in the Pacific Northwest.

Diane de RyssDirector of Operations
United States ProgramDiane de Ryss works on strategic planning and organizational development, including how we work with staff and grantees to advance the foundation’s guiding principles.

Hilary PenningtonDirector of Education, Postsecondary Success, and Special Initiatives
United States ProgramHilary Pennington leads the foundation’s Postsecondary Education initiative as well as efforts around one-time opportunities to respond to unique challenges and unanticipated events in the United States.

Vicki PhillipsDirector of Education, College Ready
United States ProgramVicki Phillips oversees work to improve early learning in Washington state; to ensure U.S. high school students graduate ready for success in college, career, and life; and to improve access to college.

Stefanie SanfordDirector of Policy & Advocacy
United States ProgramStefanie Sanford leads a diverse, bipartisan team that develops public policy and investment strategies to support the foundation’s United States programmatic goals.

Greg ShawSenior Advisor, Strategic Partnerships
United States ProgramGreg Shaw is Senior Advisor for Strategic Partnerships for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Greg founded the U.S. Program’s Advocacy team as well as its early childhood education strategy.