Whitney Austin Gray

Standing at the nexus of public health research and the places and spaces where they spend their lives, Whitney Austin Gray has become one of the leading global voices for improving the buildings and communities in ways that help people thrive. As senior vice president at the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), she leads research that supports best practices in building design and operations, community development and organizational policies that can contribute to improved public health for everyone, everywhere. She led the development of the first case studies focused on the efficacy of the WELL Building Standard, helping to launch more than 100 educational sessions related to WELL in 25+ countries. Her lectures, webcasts, trainings and published works have touched tens of thousands design and health professionals worldwide, building a strong infrastructure of support for those who work to advance better buildings, vibrant communities and stronger organizations.

Prior to joining IWBI, Dr. Gray served as the health research and innovation director for Cannon Design, a global healthcare design firm, where she oversaw the company’s primary and secondary research, prototyping and innovation platforms. Before her tenure with Cannon Design, she led building science research at the MedStar Institute for Innovation. She holds dual appointments as an adjunct assistant professor at the Georgetown School of Nursing & Health Studies and the Department of Urban and Regional Planning.

She is the co-founder of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Health in Buildings Roundtable and an Advisory Board member at the Cornell Institute for Healthy Futures and the International Academy of Health and Design. She received her Ph.D. and BA in public health studies from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. She was the first public health professional to become a LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP).