Press Release

George W. Bush Institute Welcomes Gary Edson as Global Health Fellow

This week, as the world marks the 10th anniversary of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, the George W. Bush Institute announced...

This week, as the world marks the 10th anniversary of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, the George W. Bush Institute announced the addition of Gary Edson to the Global Health team. As the Institute’s newest fellow, Edson joins the mission of advancing freedom for individuals around the world through improved access to medical care.

“Gary Edson was a valuable member of my Administration and an effective leader of the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund,” said President George W. Bush. “Laura and I are thrilled he has agreed to join us at the Bush Institute.  His expertise and energy will help us improve women’s health in developing countries and save lives.”

Taking on the role of Global Health Fellow, Edson will build upon the Institute’s ground-breaking and entrepreneurial Global Health work under way in Africa. He will focus on the sustainability of global health programs and the growth of the Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon partnership.

“So much has been done in the last decade to ease the burden of disease in the developing world, and Gary Edson played a major role in that progress, said Dr. Eric G. Bing, Director of Global Health at the Bush Institute. “He played a major part in re-shaping the way the world thinks about global health and international aid and demonstrated what is possible when vision meets resources and accountability.”

Edson currently is Managing Director of Policy and Strategy for Baker & McKenzie Compliance Consulting LLC, focusing, among other things, on corporate global citizenship. He also is an affiliate partner at Lindsay Goldberg LLC, a New York-based private equity firm, and Managing Director of Policy and Strategy for Baker & McKenzie Policy and Compliance LLC. Previously, Edson led the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund's mission to help Haiti “build back better” after the devastating 2010 earthquake. He also served as Deputy National Security Advisor and Deputy National Economic Advisor in the administration of President Bush. He co-led the development of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR); conceived and established the ground-breaking Millennium Challenge Corporation to fight global poverty; and oversaw initiatives ranging from water to human trafficking. Edson also helped to found Malaria No More and served as Chief International Officer of the Case Foundation.

The position of Global Health Fellow at the Bush Institute was previously held by Ambassador Mark Dybul, who is now Executive Director of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria.

About Global Health:
The Bush Institute’s global health initiative is built on the belief that every life is precious and focuses on saving lives in the developing world. The initiative spotlights critical issues, brings organizations, businesses, and government agencies together, and works to make existing health systems function efficiently. The Institute’s flagship global health program is Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon, a public-private partnership to save women from cervical and breast cancer in Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America.

About the George W. Bush Institute:
The George W. Bush Institute advances freedom through education reform, global health, human freedom and economic growth. In all its programming, the Institute integrates initiatives that empower women and military service personnel. The Bush Institute is the policy arm of the George W. Bush Presidential Center, which includes the Presidential library and museum, located on the campus of SMU in Dallas.