In October 2015, we embarked on this effort in the belief that there is an exceptional opportunity – and pressing need – for U.S. leadership in this critical area. The Task Force, featuring 26 distinguished opinion leaders led by co-chairs Helene Gayle and John Hammergren, has generated a bold vision for a major U.S. initiative led by the Trump administration and Congress to unlock the potential of adolescent girls and young women in select low-income countries.



In October 2015, we embarked on this effort in the belief that there is an exceptional opportunity – and pressing need – for U.S. leadership in this critical area. The Task Force, featuring 26 distinguished opinion leaders led by co-chairs Helene Gayle and John Hammergren, has generated a bold vision for a major U.S. initiative led by the Trump administration and Congress to unlock the potential of adolescent girls and young women in select low-income countries.

The discussion will be moderated by Task Force co-chair Helene Gayle, CEO, McKinsey Social Initiative, and member J. Stephen Morrison, Senior Vice President and Director, Global Health Policy Center, Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

The launch will provide an opportunity to walk through the details of the proposal, and to hear more about the process that led to its creation. We will also hear from Task Force members about how best to advance this initiative in the White House and Congress, aided by the concerted efforts of the private sector, foundations, universities, NGOs, and the faith community.

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The event will feature a number of Task Force members, including:

  • Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME)
  • Rep. Daniel M. Donovan, Jr. (R-NY-11)
  • Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA-13)
  • Rep. Mike Quigley (D-IL-5) (TBC)
  • Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH)
  • Lisa Carty, Director, U.S. Liaison Office, UNAIDS
  • Steve Davis, President and CEO, PATH
  • Christopher Elias, President, Global Development, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
  • Ezekiel Emanuel, Vice Provost for Global Initiatives and Chair of Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, University of Pennsylvania
  • Patrick Fine, CEO, FHI 360
  • Michael Gerson, Senior Adviser, ONE Campaign
  • Asma Lateef, Director, Bread for the World Institute
  • Afaf Ibrahim Meleis, Dean Emerita and Professor of Nursing and Sociology, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing
  • Diane Rowland, Executive Vice President, Kaiser Family Foundation

This event is made possible by support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.