BOSTON, Mass. — The International Institute of New England has named Dr. Yvonne Greenstreet, chief executive officer of Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, as the recipient of its 44th annual Golden Door Award, recognizing leaders born outside the United States who have made outstanding contributions to American society.
Dr. Greenstreet will be honored at the Golden Door Award Gala on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at the Omni Seaport Hotel in Boston.
“Dr. Greenstreet’s decades-long commitment to delivering transformative medicines to patients across the globe is remarkable and exemplifies the ingenuity and drive so many immigrants and refugees bring to our country,” said Jeff Thielman, president and CEO of the International Institute of New England. “Dr. Greenstreet’s journey, from training as a physician overseas to leading a revolutionary biopharmaceutical company here in Boston, is an inspiration that embodies the spirit of opportunity that our organization celebrates.”
Dr. Greenstreet, MD, MBA, OBE, has more than 30 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry. Born in London and raised in Ghana and the U.K., she earned her medical degree from the University of Leeds and practiced as a clinician before completing an MBA at INSEAD. She moved to the United States in 2004 to pursue a career in the biopharmaceutical sector, driven by a desire to broaden her impact on patients.
Her career includes senior leadership roles at GlaxoSmithKline plc and Pfizer, where she led a rapidly growing, multi-billion-dollar medicine development division. Dr. Greenstreet joined Alnylam in 2016 as chief operating officer, later becoming president and, in late 2021, chief executive officer. She has overseen the company’s efforts to translate RNA interference science into a new class of medicines and has helped guide Alnylam’s evolution from a pioneering research organization into a global biotechnology company with medicines available in more than 70 countries and a growing pipeline addressing both rare and prevalent diseases. Under her leadership, Alnylam has received repeated recognition as an exceptional workplace and a socially responsible company.
Dr. Greenstreet serves on the boards of The American Funds and the Biomedical Sciences Careers Program and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. She was awarded the Order of the British Empire in 2025 for services to the biotechnology and life sciences industry and was recognized in 2024 as the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association Woman of Year.
“Yvonne exemplifies the extraordinary contributions immigrants make to our nation and to the life sciences—through vision, compassion, hard work and a steadfast belief in what is possible,” said Julie Kim, CEO-elect at Takeda. “Her leadership at Alnylam has driven remarkable scientific progress while remaining firmly grounded in purpose and impact for patients. This recognition is a well-deserved acknowledgment of her influence on our industry and on human health.”
“I am deeply honored to receive the Golden Door Award,” said Dr. Greenstreet. “My own journey—from growing up in Ghana and the U.K., to leading a company dedicated to changing lives through science—has been shaped by the support, openness, and belief of others along the way. Immigrants and refugees bring with them resilience, creativity, and a drive to contribute that strengthens the communities they join. The work IINE does to welcome and empower newcomers is vital to ensuring that these same qualities continue to enrich our society.”
The 44th Golden Door Award Gala is chaired by senior Boston-area industry leaders, including Julie Kim, CEO-elect at Takeda; Graham Robinson, partner at Kirkland & Ellis LLP; and Anthony Consigli, CEO of Consigli Construction Company.
The annual event will raise funds to support the International Institute of New England’s programs at a time of increasingly restrictive immigration policies and federal funding cuts, helping ensure that refugees and immigrants continue to find support and opportunity in communities across New England.
