Olivia Tournay Flatto

Activist, Connector, Entrepreneur, Explorer, Investor, Parent, Philanthropist, Project manager, Scientist, World traveler

As President of The Pershing Square Foundation, Olivia Tournay Flatto. Ph.D. leads the Foundation’s efforts to deliver social impact by identifying and promoting exceptional leaders and innovative ideas in the areas of health and medicine, economic development, social justice, education, and the arts. In 2013, she co-founded the Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Research Alliance, an initiative of the Foundation, which annually awards a prestigious prize for early-career cancer researchers in the greater New York City area. Furthermore, Dr. Tournay Flatto's commitment to advancing medical research extends beyond oncology. In 2023, she co-founded and launched the MIND Prize (Maximizing Innovation in Neuroscience Discovery), which funds cutting-edge research aimed at revolutionizing our ability to predict, prevent, and treat neurodegenerative diseases. Dr. Tournay Flatto spent a decade as President of the Emerald Foundation, an independently funded medical research foundation based in New York City and was the Director of External Affairs at the New York Stem Cell Foundation. She received her PhD in Molecular Biology and Genetics from the University of Pennsylvania and completed her research at both the Wistar Institute in Philadelphia and the Sloan-Kettering Institute in New York City. Dr. Tournay Flatto serves on the boards of The Pershing Square Foundation, the Paris Opera and Ballet and is a member of the Economic club of New York, and the Women’s Forum of New York. Additionally, she is Chairman of the American Friends of the Paris Opera and Ballet, and has been committed to promoting French arts and culture in America. She was previously recognized by the French Government with the awards of Chevalier de l'Ordre National du Mérite in 2008 and Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 2013. She was awarded Chevalier of the French Legion of Honor in 2022, by the French Ambassador to the United States Philippe Etienne.

Cells and organisms Oceans New places Ideas People Stories

Philanthropy is a vital engine for scientific discovery. Science and business are often treated as separate worlds, but in reality they share the same core drive: a commitment of talent, capital, and creativity in pursuit of change. Bridging these worlds is central to our mission.

Driving a motorcycle, wind-surfing, Ping-Pong and cooking.