Rajiv Shah

Rajiv Shah official portrait

Rajiv Shah is an American physician and health economist who has served as the President of the Rockefeller Foundation since 2017. He is known for his work in global health and development, having previously served as the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) from 2010 to 2015.

Early Life and Education

Rajiv Shah was born in Detroit, Michigan. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in economics from the University of Michigan, a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Pennsylvania, and a Master of Science in health economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Career

Early Career

Before joining USAID, Shah worked at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, where he served as the Director of Agricultural Development in the Global Development Program and as the Director of Strategic Opportunities. In these roles, he focused on improving agricultural productivity and reducing hunger and poverty in developing countries.

United States Agency for International Development

In 2009, Shah was nominated by President Barack Obama to serve as the Administrator of USAID. He was confirmed by the United States Senate and took office in January 2010. During his tenure, Shah led the agency's response to several major crises, including the 2010 Haiti earthquake, the 2011 East Africa drought, and the 2014 West Africa Ebola outbreak. He also launched several initiatives aimed at improving food security, health, and economic development in developing countries.

Rockefeller Foundation

In 2017, Shah was appointed as the President of the Rockefeller Foundation. Under his leadership, the foundation has focused on addressing global challenges such as climate change, food security, and health equity. Shah has emphasized the importance of innovation and partnerships in achieving the foundation's goals.

Personal Life

Rajiv Shah is married and has three children. He resides in Washington, D.C..

See Also

• Rockefeller Foundation
• United States Agency for International Development
• Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
• Barack Obama