Teresa Garate | Source | VP of Strategic Partnership and Engagement at Gateway Foundation

Dr. Garate has spent 25 years working throughout Illinois and the nation as an expert in public health, education, and social and human services. She has led large complex systems through innovation and change. She is a respected speaker, presenter, and subject matter expert in mental health, disability, public health, and education.

At Gateway, Dr. Garate is responsible for developing healthcare partnerships, expanding existing relationships in both the government and private sector, and developing new partnership opportunities to increase our reach within the therapeutic community.

Dr. Garate has a unique career trajectory. She began her career in special education, teaching children with disabilities. She developed professionally assuming positions of greater responsibility and impact, including the Chief of Staff for Office of Specialized Services for Chicago Public Schools. In that role, she served as lead on policy development and district-wide initiatives with all CPS departments, local government and state agencies, and local community-based organizations. Dr. Garate later joined the Illinois Department of Public Health as an Assistant Director and was responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations and managing over 1200 employees. Before joining Gateway, Teresa served as the President & CEO of two non-profit organizations providing mental and behavioral healthcare treatment.

Dr. Garate is a Ph.D. in Special Education from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She also holds an M.Ed. in Special Education from UIC. Teresa currently serves on the Kennedy Forum Illinois Board, is the Chair of the Board of Smart Policy Works, and serves on the Illinois Community College Board.