She served eight years as head of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in the Clinton administration, the longest-serving secretary in the department's history.

Shalala was chancellor of the University of Wisconsin at Madison from 1987 to 1993 and president of Hunter College of the City University of New York (CUNY) for the eight previous years. She has been a tenured professor of political science at Columbia University, CUNY, and the University of Wisconsin. After receiving her BA from Western College for Women, Shalala volunteered for the Peace Corps and spent two years teaching in Iran. She received a PhD in 1970 from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University. Shalala serves on the boards of Gannett Co., Inc. and United Health Group, among others.

The Founders' Council was created in 2008 to recognize individuals who have made significant and transformative contributions to our Foundation's efforts as part of our Board of Directors or as special advisors to the Foundation. Council members continue their involvement with MJFF on an as-needed basis, strategically advising on questions relevant to their areas of interest or expertise.