Dr. Helene Gayle to Head CARE USA – Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

SEATTLE -- Patty Stonesifer, co-chair and president of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, made the following statement today regarding CARE USA’s announcement that it has appointed Helene Gayle as its President and CEO:

Dr. Helene Gayle, who has provided extraordinary leadership at the Gates Foundation over the past five years, has accepted a major new challenge. Early next year, she will become President and CEO of CARE USA, one of the world’s great humanitarian organizations.

Helene has made incredible contributions to the foundation and the field of global health during her time here. As director of the foundation’s HIV, TB, and Reproductive Health program, she helped to develop groundbreaking initiatives such as Avahan, the foundation’s HIV prevention program in India; the African Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Partnerships (ACHAP), a national HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention initiative in Botswana; and the Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise.

In addition, Helene led our work to expand support for TB prevention, treatment, and research, working with partners such as the Aeras Global TB Vaccine Foundation and the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics. She also developed the foundation’s strategy for increasing global access to reproductive health commodities, and represented the foundation on the board of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria.

Helene will remain at the foundation through the end of February 2006. While we search for a permanent replacement, we are pleased that Dr. Nicholas Hellmann, a senior member of Helene’s team, will become interim director of HIV, TB, and Reproductive Health. Nick has extensive international experience with HIV and other infectious diseases, and has worked as a senior manager in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. We remain firmly committed to our HIV, TB, and reproductive health strategy, and we anticipate a very smooth transition.

It has been a joy to work with Helene, both personally and professionally. Her leadership, intelligence, and great sense of humor will be sorely missed, and we are grateful for her many contributions.

We wish Helene the very best in her new position. We are confident this transition means great things for her and for CARE. We look forward to continuing our work with CARE, and with Helene in her new role, to improve health around the world.

Note: A press release from CARE USA is available. Contact Lurma Rackley at (404) 979-9450 or [email protected].