Helene D. Gayle, a public health expert and business executive in the United States, has made significant contributions to international public health and welfare through her passion for public health research and outstanding leadership for community welfare. How was she able to succeed in both fields?

Born on August 15^th, 1955, in Buffalo, New York, Gayle was the third of five children. Her father was a small business entrepreneur , and her mother was a social worker, both of whom greatly influenced Gayle's attitude towards life; instilling in her hard work, responsibility, and noble ambition. Impressed by the civil rights movement during her teenage years, she majored in psychology at Barnard College. During her undergraduate years, she heard a speech by Dr. D.A. Henderson, who was working globally to eradicate the smallpox virus. After hearing this speech, Gayle realized that she could have the opportunity to be active in political and social fields through medicine, and she made a commitment to study medicine. Having decided to study medicine, Gayle earned a Master's degree in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University and a Doctorate in Medicine from the University of Pennsylvania.

In 1984, Gayle began her career as a public health expert when she was selected as the head of the Epidemic Information Service of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta. At that time, she conducted research on malnutrition, low birth weight, and slow growth in children in the United States and Africa. While working at the CDC, Gayle took a great interest in not only public health in the United States, but also global health and the prevention and control of infectious diseases, especially HIV/AIDS. Gayle began to study the impact of AIDS on children, adolescents, and families worldwide. Recognizing her efforts, Gayle was appointed as the inaugural director of the newly established National Center on HIV and STD Prevention (NCHSTP) in 1995, and at the same time. She believed that the public should also be aware of how AIDS is transmitted and how the disease operates. To address cultural factors in certain impoverished areas where teenage prostitution is rampant, Gayle supported the development of contraceptive devices and antiviral drugs for women. In order to inform the public about AIDS, she appeared on ABC's Nightline broadcast and several news programs, becoming recognizes as one of the top experts in the field of HIV/AIDS.

In 2006, Gayle, who had been active in research in the field of infectious diseases such as HIV and tuberculosis, now dedicated her life to global health by becoming the president and CEO of CARE International[1][2]. Gayle led global efforts to bring about 'long-term change' in impoverished communities. Under her leadership, CARE was able to introduce programs for long-term change, focusing not only on financial support but also on improving access to quality basic education for mothers and girls. Then, in 2017, Gayle became the CEO of the Chicago Community Trust, one of the oldest and largest community foundations in the United States and promoted local investment and build collective power to reduce racial and ethnic wealth gaps in the Chicago area.

In this way, Helene D. Gayle has conducted research and charity work across various fields as both public health expert and entrepreneur. Gayle was selected as one of the '100 Most Influential Women' by Forbes in 2022, and one of the 'Top 50 Power and Influence' by Nonprofit Times, recognized for her economic power, entrepreneurial spirit, innovation, and passion for social welfare. How about we also contribute to society in a wide range of fields by learning from Gayle’s passion and leadership?