Dr. Charity Dean is the CEO and Founder of PHC Global, a biosecurity technology company. She is leading the effort to leverage PHC Global's commercial solutions for U.S. national security, including developing infrastructure in support of an integrated early warning system for biological threats within the Department of Defense. Previously, she served as Assistant Director of the California Department of Public Health, leading the state’s COVID-19 response. As Acting State Public Health Officer, she directed responses to high consequence biological threats, overseeing a $3.5 billion budget and 4,300 staff.

A former Public Health Officer for Santa Barbara County, Dr. Dean was recognized as Physician of the Year in 2018. She co-authored Lessons from the COVID War and is a central character in Michael Lewis’ The Premonition.