Home: Guilford, CT. Age: Fifty-something. Birthplace: Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Profession: Physician and researcher. Organization: Gates Foundation. Title: Head of HIV Drug Development. Languages spoken: French, English and Spanish.
Current project: Writing a book on leadership. Recent recognition: Heroes of Chemistry Award for the development of fostemsavir, the first HIV-1 attachment inhibitor. Recent professional development: General Management Program at Wharton. Latest accomplishment: Redesigned HIV target product profiles at the Gates Foundation. Latest contribution to others: Helping CytoDyn with oncology research. What’s been your big (or biggest) leap? Developing fostemsavir and launching this life-saving drug for heavily treatment-experienced people living with HIV. I spent 12 years developing it. Hobbies: Playing soccer and chess, traveling and trying new foods from around the world.
Personality profile: Driven, strategic and INTJ. What one word would your closest friend use to describe you? Loyal. What is your greatest joy? Playing soccer. What is your greatest fear? Failing. What word or phrase do you use far too often? I think or in my opinion. What natural talent have you neglected? Cooking. What occupation, other than your own, do you most admire? Engineers, because they build things. What ingredient is essential to your perfect vacation? Beach and mojitos.
What was your first paying job? Working at the library at Howard University. What was your favorite college course? Pan-Africanism. What was your favorite childhood toy or game? G.I. Joe. What movie have you repeatedly watched? The Thomas Crown Affair and The Hunt for Red October. Besides your parents, who has had the greatest influence on your life? My big brother and my mentor at Yale. What’s the best advice you received growing up? You have not failed; you fell. The only ones who fail are those who do not get up. What’s the best advice you received in your career? What got you here may not get you there.
What is your big idea?
End the HIV epidemic by ending HIV transmission.
What change are you working on to effect in your profession or field? Developing long-acting antiretrovirals for HIV to help end the epidemic. What change would you like to see in the world? End racism. What mega-trend most excites you? AI. What mega-trend most concerns you? Dishonesty among politicians and disregard for the truth by news organizations.
What title would you choose for the movie about your life? Winning Leadership. Who would you like to spend an evening with, in heaven? My dad. As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? A professional soccer player. After your loved ones, what object would you first save from your burning home? My dog. What advice would you give your younger self? Don’t worry so much. Everything will be OK. What day in your life would you choose to re-live? When I missed a penalty kick that mattered.
Personal mission: End the HIV epidemic. Personal motto: Never give up! Favorite quote: “The tragedy of life is not to have tried and failed, but not to have tried at all” (author unknown).
