Education
MSW, UC Berkeley
BS Cultural Anthropology, UC Berkeley
Professional Biography
Carmen Villar is purpose-driven leader with over 25 years of experience across global public health, social impact, philanthropy, and sustainability. She most recently served as Vice President, Public Affairs, at Gilead Sciences, overseeing Corporate Responsibility and the Gilead Foundation. She was previously Vice President for Social Business Innovation at Merck, where among other achievements, led the development of a new health equity team, helping the company think about new approaches to health access for all people.
Ms. Villar was the Chief of Staff at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), from 2010-2017, and led the agency through multiple international emergency responses. Her leadership was critical in providing coordination across the agency and with global counterparts. She earned the Presidential Meritorious Rank Award for her extensive work as Chief of Staff. Carmen has worked in both Nigeria and Zambia, providing leadership and oversight of HIV programs, as part of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).
Carmen is committed to volunteer service through her work on the boards of National Medical Fellowships (NMF) and New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC). Carmen obtained her MSW at UC Berkeley and currently resides in New Jersey with her son and husband.