RTI International’s Wendee Wechsberg is recognized on Forbes’ “50 Over 50” Impact List

Forbes’ second annual “50 Over 50" list includes women who make the world a better place 

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – Forbes Magazine has named RTI International’s Wendee Wechsberg, Ph.D., to its annual “50 Over 50” list.  

Dr. Wechsberg has been an applied community-based and gender NIH researcher since 1994 and has more than 20 years of clinical experience. She has directed outpatient drug-free, methadone and residential substance abuse treatment programs.  

In addition to her role as research director, she is the founding director of the RTI Global Gender Center, which brings together over 400 experts across numerous disciplines to improve knowledge, policies and programs worldwide to reduce gender inequities and disparities with work in over 100 countries. 

“I am honored to be recognized by Forbes among this most amazing group of accomplished champions working to make a difference in the world,” said Wechsberg. “I am deeply humbled to be among these women whom I admire.” 

Dr. Wechsberg is joined by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown-Jackson and tennis legend Billie Jean King on the list, which is meant to highlight social entrepreneurs and changemakers using their empathy, insight and savvy to help make the world a better place.  

To create the list, Forbes partnered with Mika Brzezinski, a journalist, best-selling author, co-host of MSNBC’s Morning Joe and founder of Know Your Value, a digital platform and community focused on empowering women. 

• Wechsberg is also the Founding Chair of the International Women’s and Children Group that includes 46 countries and over 1000 scientists with an annual meeting. 

• She is also an adjunct professor in psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Duke University School of Medicine; an adjunct professor in Maternal and Child Health at Gillings School of Global Public Health; and an adjunct professor in psychology in at North Carolina State university   

• She received the National Institute on Drug Abuse Excellence in International Mentoring Award in 2013. 

• She has been conducting international HIV research in South Africa with women who misuse substances for the last 21 years and has over 200 publications including peer reviewed papers, chapters and books on women, gender, ethnicity and HIV risk. 

Forbes has previously named RTI to its 2022 Best Employers for Women and 2022 Best Midsize Employers lists. 

Learn more about the RTI Global Gender Center