Christopher Elias

Dr. Chris Elias, President of the Global Development Program, leads the foundation’s efforts to accelerate the delivery of proven healthcare products and solutions to those who need them most – especially women and children - focusing on appropriate and sustainable strategies with the potential to improve the health of hundreds of millions of people in underserved communities. The Global Development division’s focus includes responsibility for the following program areas: Immunization, Primary Health Care, Global Health Agencies and Funds, Polio Eradication, Emergency Response and the oversight of our regional work in Africa and India. Dr. Elias previously served as the president and CEO of PATH, an international, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the health of people around the world through developing innovative health technologies, strengthening healthcare systems, and encouraging healthy behaviors. He serves on various boards, including the Creigton University Board of Trustees and Advisory Committees at the University of Washington and Duke University. He also represents the Gates Foundation as Chair of the Polio Oversight Board, the governing body of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. Dr. Elias holds an MD from Creighton University, having completed postgraduate training in internal medicine at the University of California San Francisco, and an MPH from the University of Washington. He was a fellow in the Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars Program and is a member of the National Academy of Medicine.