Debra Fraser-Howze is a nationally recognized public health leader, corporate executive, and government relations expert whose career has transformed how America addresses health disparities. For more than three decades, she has led efforts to expand access to care and empower communities through faith and science. A trusted advisor to two U.S. Presidents, Ms. Fraser-Howze served on the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS and co-authored the landmark Minority AIDS Initiative, which directed billions of federal dollars to expand services in underserved communities. She also founded the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS (now the National Black Leadership Commission on Health), mobilizing faith leaders nationwide in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Before founding her own nonprofit, she served as Senior Vice President of Government and External Affairs at OraSure Technologies, helping launch the FDA-approved OraQuick In-Home HIV Test and leading partnerships supporting rapid diagnostic innovation. As Founder and Board Chair of Choose Healthy Life, she created a national model uniting faith institutions and medical science to address health inequities. Since 2020, CHL has supported 120 churches across 13 states, reached more than 24 million people, and provided services to hundreds of thousands nationwide.

Ms. Fraser-Howze serves on Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health Board and holds degrees from Hunter College and Moravian Theological Seminary.