At just 36 years old, Rajiv Shah got a call from Hillary Clinton. Days later, he was running USAID. Less than a week into the job, a massive earthquake leveled Haiti. He had no time to prepare. He had to act. That was one of many high-stakes bets in his career. From launching a $5 billion vaccine program with the Gates Foundation to fighting Ebola and leading global humanitarian efforts, he has tackled some of the world’s biggest challenges and won. In this episode, Rajiv joins Ilana to share how he makes big bets, leads through crisis, and asks the right questions to solve impossible challenges.

Dr. Rajiv Shah is a physician, economist, global development leader, author, and President of the Rockefeller Foundation. Known for achieving the impossible to drive global change, he led U.S. responses to crises like the Haiti earthquake and Ebola outbreak as USAID Administrator..

In this episode, Ilana and Rajiv will discuss:

(00:00) Introduction 

(01:55) From Immigrant Kid to Global Leader

(04:02) A Life-Changing Service Trip to India

(07:00) Leaving Medical School for Politics

(11:22) Joining the Gates Foundation

(13:10) A 'Big Bet' That Saved 20 Million Lives

(15:00) How Strategic Questions Unlock Big Solutions

(19:31) Leading USAID Through Haiti’s Earthquake

(26:38) Earning Obama and Biden’s Trust in a Crisis

(30:22) Fighting the Ebola Outbreak with Military Support

(33:22) Tackling Energy Poverty at the Rockefeller Foundation

(38:54) Why Real Change Requires Big Risks

(44:38) How Great Leaders Balance Change and Stability

(47:08) The Power of Connection and Shared Values

Dr. Rajiv Shah is a physician, economist, global development leader, author, and President of the Rockefeller Foundation. Known for achieving the impossible to drive global change, he led U.S. responses to crises like the Haiti earthquake and Ebola outbreak as USAID Administrator. Previously, at the Gates Foundation, he helped expand childhood vaccinations and led health and agriculture initiatives. His book, Big Bets, explores bold solutions to the world’s toughest challenges.

Connect with Rajiv:

Rajiv’s Website: rockefellerfoundation.org/ 

Rajiv’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drrajivjshah/ 

Resources Mentioned:

Rajiv’s Book, Big Bets: How Large-Scale Change Really Happens: https://www.amazon.com/Big-Bets-Large-Scale-Change-Happens/dp/1668004380 

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