Elizabeth Dawes Gay is a social entrepreneur whose life mission is to create a world where womxn of color have what they need to achieve their ideal well-being. Elizabeth’s lived experience as a Black woman in the United States drives her to fight injustice and create a more equitable world. Elizabeth founded Ìpàdé because womxn of color deserve a safe, beautiful, and functional sanctuary where they can grow personally and professionally. Elizabeth is a recognized thought leader on reproductive and maternal health, rights, and justice who has been published in The Nation, Rewire, The Root, EBONY.com, TIME Motto, and Huffington Post. She is a co-founder of the Black Mamas Matter Alliance, the founder of Sisu Consulting, and the founder of a leadership development initiative called Black Women For.

Elizabeth holds a Master of Public Health from The George Washington University and a Bachelor of Arts from University of Pennsylvania.