Can the strongest leadership move be stepping away from power to serve something bigger?
Gail McGovern’s career spans leading a $26 billion business unit at AT&T, presiding over Fidelity Personal Investments, and teaching at Harvard Business School, before answering what she might call the most important call of her career. She joined the American Red Cross in 2008 when the organization needed stabilizing leadership, and she never wavered in her conviction that doing the right thing is non-negotiable—even when it’s costly or second-guessed. Through earthquakes, hurricanes, and a global pandemic, her compass stayed true to delivering the best for people in need and in her organization, demonstrating a commitment to her instincts, her integrity and her determination. Tune in for a conversation that delves into rebuilding a legacy institution from the inside out and what it takes to lead with heart when there’s no margin for error. Take home lessons on what transformative leadership looks like in times of crisis and how to translate ambition into purpose that endures.
About the Guest
Gail J. McGovern assumed the role of Chair of the Board of Governors of the American Red Cross on July 1, 2024, after serving as the organization’s president and CEO for more than 16 years. As Chair, Gail leads the Board in its governance and oversight of Red Cross operations.
During her tenure as president and CEO, McGovern helped to transform the venerable American institution into a 21st Century emergency response and blood services organization. Her transformational initiatives led to improved financial stability and expanded the reach of lifesaving Red Cross services. She also oversaw the organization’s response to multiple high-profile disasters across the country and around the world and initiated extensive modernization projects – including an overhaul of Red Cross IT systems and the growth of the organization’s leadership in social media and mobile technologies.
Prior to joining the Red Cross, McGovern was a faculty member at the Harvard Business School and earlier had served as president of Fidelity Personal Investments, a unit of Fidelity Investments. She was also executive vice president at AT&T for the Consumer Markets Division, the company’s largest business unit, and was responsible for its $26 billion residential long-distance service.
She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Johns Hopkins University and an MBA from Columbia University. In May 2026, McGovern received an honorary doctorate from Johns Hopkins University.
McGovern is currently a member of the board of trustees for Johns Hopkins Medicine. She also serves on the board of directors of DTE Energy.
McGovern was recognized by Fortune magazine in 2000 and 2001 as one of the top 50 most powerful women in corporate America.
