Dr. William and Kathleen Magee are the founders of Operation Smile a worldwide children’s medical charity they established after visiting the Philippines in 1982 (see page 67). Bill, a plastic surgeon, is the company’s CEO and together with Kathy, a nurse and clinical social worker, oversee the company’s worldwide networks of over 12,000 volunteers that span more than 75 cities and nine countries. Their work has given thousands of children ravaged by deformities the chance to smile once again.

Both Bill and Kathy hail from New Jersey. Bill’s maternal grandmother from Valentia Island off the coast of Kerry settled in Pennsylvania in the 1800s. Besides Operation Smile, Dr. Magee is a noted speaker at numerous conferences around the world and trains international physicians in craniofacial techniques while Kathy remains deeply involved in Operation Smile’s Student Program and numerous volunteer activities.

Over the years Bill and Kathleen’s efforts have garnered them many prestigious awards including the Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize, a 2001 Common Wealth Award of Distinguished Service, and the 2007 President’s Call to Service Award from President George W. Bush. The Magees reside in Virginia with their five grown children and many grandchildren.