Dr. David M. Carlisle Named Among Los Angeles Business Journal’s LA500 Class of 2026
Charles R. Drew University President and CEO David M. Carlisle, MD, PhD, has been named to the Los Angeles Business Journal’s LA500 Class of 2026 for his tremendous impact in the field of education. This marks his second year as part of LA500.
“It is an incredible honor to be recognized by the Los Angeles Business Journal alongside such an extraordinary group of luminaries,” said Dr. Carlisle. “This recognition reflects the collective journey of a community of changemakers dedicated to creating opportunities and building a more prosperous Los Angeles.”
Dr. Carlisle has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of CDU since 2011. Under his leadership, CDU has experienced an era of programmatic growth, rising national reputation, and record-breaking fundraising that has included landmark gifts from Bloomberg Philanthropies and MacKenzie Scott.
Before joining CDU, Dr. Carlisle served as Director of the California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development under three governors. A board-certified internal medicine specialist and published author, his scholarship spans health policy, quality of care, medical education diversity, and the elimination of health disparities. In 2025, he was elected to the National Academy of Medicine. Dr. Carlisle earned his medical degree from Brown University; a PhD and a Master’s in Health Services from the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health; and a BA from Wesleyan University.