Dr. Sue Desmond-Hellmann

Dr. Sue Desmond-Hellmann Dr. Sue Desmond-Hellmann is an influencer

Former Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, UCSF, and Genentech. Intractable optimist; always a girl from Reno.

San Francisco Bay Area
373K followers 233 connections

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About

With a medical, scientific and philanthropic career that spans more than 30 years, Dr. Sue Desmond-Hellmann has devoted her life to improving the human condition.

From 2014 – 2020, Sue served as CEO of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, leading the organization’s vision for a world where every person has the opportunity to live a healthy, productive life.

Before 2014, Sue was chancellor of the University of California at San Francisco. And prior to that, she spent 14 years at biotech firm Genentech, where she was fortunate enough to be at the forefront of the precision medicine revolution.

Regardless of role, Sue's training as an oncologist and scientist leads to her endless curiosity about the world and her desire to change it for the better. Think big and then go big!

Articles by Dr. Sue

  • Dear Mark Suzman
    Jan 30, 2020

    Dear Mark Suzman

    Dear Mark, Like me, you’re a political junkie, so I’m sure you know the tradition of departing U.S.

    29 Comments
  • My summer 2019 reading list
    Oct 6, 2019

    My summer 2019 reading list

    One of the many joys of summer is the chance to get some serious reading done. This year, I managed more than a dozen…

    27 Comments
  • A Different Kind of Honeymoon
    Sep 26, 2019

    A Different Kind of Honeymoon

    Nick and I were not long married when we left the comforts of San Francisco for two years of researching, teaching, and…

    41 Comments
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Activity

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Experience

  • Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Graphic

    CEO

    Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

    - 6 years

  • UCSF Graphic

    Chancellor

    UCSF

    - 5 years

    Responsible for all aspects of the professional and graduate schools, medical center, and research programs. Oversaw an in-depth review of the University’s business model, developed a comprehensive strategic plan, supported the creation of research partnerships with industry leaders such as Pfizer and Bayer, and appointed UCSF’s first Vice Chancellor of Diversity and Outreach.

    Remains a full tenured professor at UCSF.

  • Genentech, Inc. Graphic

    President of Product Development

    Genentech, Inc.

    - 14 years

    Spent 14 years at Genentech, serving in a number of roles, ending as President, Product Development.
    Responsible for Genentech’s pre-clinical and clinical development process, research and development, business development, and product portfolio management. Also served as a member of Genentech’s executive committee.

  • Bristol-Myers Squibb Graphic

    Associate Director, Clinical Cancer Research Project Team Leader, Taxol

    Bristol-Myers Squibb

    - 1 year

  • Private Practice, Medical Oncology and Hematology

    Lexington Oncology Association, Central Baptist Hospital

    - 2 years

  • UCSF Graphic

    Assistant Clinical Professor

    UCSF

    - 4 years

    Department of Internal Medicine

    Spent two years as a visiting faculty member at the Uganda Cancer Institute studying HIV/AIDS and cancer.

Education

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