Gail Gershon

Gail Gershon is a purpose-driven pioneer with three decades of experience in nonprofits, foundations, and business.  She has led domestic and global initiatives in corporate settings that drive social impact while contributing to the bottom line, successfully modeling how purpose and profit can go hand in hand. Most recently, Gail served at Gap Inc. (parent company of Old Navy, Banana Republic, Gap, and Athleta), where she launched This Way Ahead, the award-winning employment program for frontline workers.  The program served as the basis for “Connecting Youth & Business: A Toolkit for Employers,” which was promoted by the Obama Administration. Gail also led P.A.C.E. (Personal Advancement & Career Enhancement), Gap Inc.’s women’s empowerment program, which operates in 17 countries.  During Gail’s tenure, participation increased by 240% without causing reductions to the benefits experienced by participants.  To date, P.A.C.E. has changed the lives of over 900,000 women. Gail is a leader in corporate volunteerism and community engagement.  Her work has demonstrated the correlation between volunteering, retention, promotion, and engagement.  She collaborated with leaders from multiple sectors to launch Reimagining Service, an initiative designed to advance civic engagement in the U.S. Prior to her work at Gap Inc., Gail served at the MetLife Foundation, the Florence Vanderbilt Burden Foundation, the Institute for International studies at U.C. Berkeley, and the New York Regional Association of Grantmakers. Gail currently serves on Measure of America’s Advisory Council, and on the Corporate Council of the TS Alliance.  She co-founded the Opportunity Youth Network, and was founding board chair of Materials for the Arts, affiliated with the NYC Department of Education.   Gail lives in New York City.