Ella Gudwin, CEO of VisionSpring, is a social entrepreneur and global health strategist with more than 25 years of experience in international development. Under her leadership, VisionSpring has corrected the vision of 12 million low-income adults and children and unlocked $2.6 billion in income earning potential at the household level.

Prior to joining VisionSpring, Ella served as Senior Vice President of Strategy and Program Development at AmeriCares, a global health and emergency response organization. While there, she led humanitarian operations and managed access to medicine and other health interventions in ten countries. Ella began her career in international development when conducting research and teaching in Indonesia and coordinating events with government and private sector leaders at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York and Washington, DC.

Ella regularly speaks about hybrid business models that blend earned revenue with philanthropy; growing a purpose-driven business; and measuring social impact. She earned a master’s degree in emerging market economics and Southeast Asia studies with distinction from SAIS, Johns Hopkins University and holds a bachelor’s with honors from Vassar College. Ella is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.