Priscilla Chan

Dr. Priscilla Chan is co-founder and co-CEO of the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, a philanthropic organization focused on advancing human potential through science, education, health, and justice. She has guided the organization in recent years toward a stronger emphasis on scientific research, funding biomedical discovery, artificial intelligence tools, and innovative approaches to understanding human biology, while continuing to support select educational and community programs.

Chan was born and raised in Quincy, Massachusetts, the oldest of three daughters of Chinese immigrant parents who arrived in the United States as refugees. She was the first in her family to attend college, graduating from Harvard University in 2007 with a degree in biology and a focus on Spanish. She taught science to elementary school students before enrolling at the University of California, San Francisco, where she earned her medical degree in 2012. Chan completed her residency in pediatrics and works at San Francisco General Hospital.

Her charitable goals reflect her professional and personal experiences, with a focus on education, healthcare, and science. Together with her husband, Mark Zuckerberg, Chan has donated billions to schools, hospitals, and research initiatives. She founded The Primary School, a nonprofit private school providing K–12 education, prenatal support, and on-site healthcare, although the school is scheduled to close in 2026. The couple has also supported scientific recognition through the Breakthrough Prize and funded advanced research tools that explore cellular biology.

Chan and Zuckerberg are parents to three daughters. The couple has pledged to donate 99 percent of their Facebook stock during their lifetimes to advance equality and human potential. While Chan has largely maintained a private public profile, she has increasingly highlighted the role of science and technology in solving global challenges and fostering innovation.