From championing policy shifts in boardrooms to leading grassroots movements to achieve social change, women leaders around the world are leading with resilience, innovation, and a commitment to progress. Their leadership not only transforms communities and shapes policies but also inspires future generations.
In line with this year’s theme for International Women’s Day, Accelerate Action, we asked the HCDExchange team to share stories of women leaders who have influenced their lives positively and shaped their careers in the public health field. Their stories remind us that actual progress comes when leadership inspires the next generation to step into leadership roles.
Muthoni Wachira, HCDExchange Director
Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to meet, work with, and be guided by incredible women in leadership. While many narratives highlight women’s challenges, such as a lack of representation, support, or role models, my journey has been shaped by women who have opened doors, believed in my potential, and led with strength and vision.
One of my earliest experiences was with Angela Wauye (ActionAid Kenya), a brilliant manager and technical expert in Agriculture and Food Rights. She supported me as I navigated a new field early in my career, providing the guidance and confidence I needed to grow. Another defining influence in my journey was my former Director, the late Dr. Josephine Moyo (IPPF Africa Region). She saw something in me that I had not yet recognized in myself. She recruited me for a job I hadn’t applied for, believing in my potential and challenging me in ways that shaped the leader I am today. I cannot speak about her without mentioning Sanda Ojiambo and Felicity Kinoti (IPPF Africa Region), who sat on that recruitment panel and gave me a chance. These women have since done extraordinary work in their respective fields, and I am grateful for their role in my career.
Timing and opportunity have shaped my growth, but they were only possible because women took a chance on me. After years of hard work and persistence, I stepped into my first leadership role, thanks to Marie-Evelyne Petrus Barry. She exemplified what it means to champion other women, creating opportunities for them to reach their full potential. She righted many of the wrongs I had experienced in my career and showed me how fierce and generous leadership could be.
And then, there is Anne LaFond (JSI). I cannot sing her praises enough. She is not just a boss; she is a true partner. Together, we fought the good fight, but more than anything, I learned from her empathy, patience, calm and steady leadership, and her ability to listen and truly see people. She has spoken on my behalf and advocated for me in rooms I was not in, and through her mentorship and unwavering faith in my leadership, she has inspired me to go further than I ever imagined. These are just a few of the many brilliant women who have shaped my path, and I know countless others do the same for others every day. To all the women who create space, lift others up, and lead with purpose, you are the real force behind accelerating action.
Rimjhim Surana, Senior HCD Designer
I’ve been fortunate to work under the guidance of strong, empathetic women who led with integrity, purpose, and heart. From them, I learned that good leadership doesn’t just come from authority or assertiveness, but from the ability to listen deeply, communicate honestly, and foster genuine connections. These women modeled what it means to lead with empathy while still making the hard calls when necessary – showing me that strength and softness can, and should, coexist. Their ability to hold space for flexibility in work while maintaining high standards taught me that leadership anchored in trust often results in teams that are more dedicated and resilient. Through these experiences, I’ve come to appreciate the nuances of leadership that often go unnoticed – like the skill of reading a room, knowing when to push and when to pause, or recognizing the human behind the colleague.
I’ve learned that vulnerability is not a weakness but a bridge to authentic connection and that understanding the complexities of people’s lives can make for stronger, more compassionate teams. These women also taught me the power of discernment – of seeing and valuing the unique skills each person brings and building a team where everyone feels seen and valued. Their leadership has deeply influenced the kind of collaborator and leader I aspire to be – one who leads with empathy, clarity, and a strong sense of purpose.
Peter Nasokho, Evidence & Metrics Lead
Anne LaFond has been a guiding light of vision, commitment, and leadership in Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning. She consistently exemplifies excellence, innovation, and compassion – turning transformative ideas into reality while inspiring countless individuals, myself included. Her unwavering dedication to creating meaningful change has left an indelible mark on all who have had the privilege of working alongside her. Anne’s work has not only shaped strategies and advanced impactful initiatives but has also uplifted communities and championed equitable solutions. A true advocate for HCDExchange, she has been its greatest supporter, always pushing us to excel and realize the dream of becoming a game changer in global health.
Beatrice Nguo, Program Manager
Throughout my 20 years in the development sector, I have thoroughly enjoyed working with women in leadership roles. I have enjoyed the privilege of being guided by women leaders who have significantly contributed to my professional growth. One experience that stands out for me was at ActionAid International, where I worked under the leadership of Makena Mwobobia. Makena significantly impacted my professional development, going out of her way to provide guidance, approve capacity-building training opportunities, and identify areas for growth in my career journey. Since then, my journey in program development has been marked by continuous progress, to overseeing program management initiatives at JSI’s technical hub for human-centered design, the HCDExchange.
In my current role, I have also had the pleasure of working closely with an inspiring leader, Muthoni Wachira, HCDExchange Director. Over the past two and a half years, I have enjoyed working with her on the program. Muthoni has effectively led our team in growing the project and achieving strategic goals. She has motivated me to take on additional responsibilities and to support my project team members, particularly in matters of human resource management. Muthoni also encouraged me to make decisions in program management, which has contributed significantly to my professional growth in various areas of my career, such as people management, empathy to the team, business development, and all-around program management.
Lilian Ngina, Data Associate
Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland speaks to me as a beacon of courage, resilience, and unyielding hope. Her story feels deeply personal as it mirrors the struggles of countless women fighting to break barriers and reclaim spaces where their voices matter. She reminds me that leadership is not about power or position but about daring to stand tall in the face of doubt and opposition. Her determination to declare health a fundamental human right aligns profoundly with my own journey in global health leadership. Like her, my vision is to push boundaries, amplify marginalized voices, and ensure that those often overlooked are heard and uplifted. Her work makes me believe that change is not only possible but inevitable when pursued with heart and conviction.
During her tenure as the Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland established the Commission on Macroeconomics and Health, underscoring the vital connection between investing in health, reducing poverty, and achieving sustainable growth. She also spearheaded the “Roll Back Malaria” campaign, a groundbreaking global initiative aimed at reducing the devastating burden of malaria, particularly in resource-limited settings, exemplifying her commitment to addressing health inequities with actionable solutions
In one of her remarkable speeches at the International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo in 1994, Dr. Brundtland highlighted the importance of empowering women through access to education, healthcare, and unbiased information. This moment showcased her unwavering belief that women’s rights are central to sustainable development and justice. During her political career, Dr. Brundtland was a strong advocate for the legalization of abortion in Norway in the 1970s. At a time when restrictive gender norms often silenced women’s voices, she used her platform as a physician and politician to push for policies that prioritized women’s autonomy and health. Her efforts were instrumental in ensuring that women in Norway gained access to safe and legal abortion services, a significant step toward gender equity
On a profoundly emotional level, her journey moves me in ways I find hard to put into words. She didn’t just navigate the complexities of politics and global health, she did so with empathy, compassion, and an unwavering belief in justice. As I work to establish my path toward global health leadership, her ability to lead with both vision and empathy resonates deeply. She shows me that leadership can be kind yet firm, inspiring me to embrace challenges with courage and determination. Her legacy fuels my commitment to transformative change, reminding me to lead with love, purpose, and a steadfast belief in equity for all. She speaks to the fire within me, the fire to lead, to uplift, and to make a difference where it matters most.
Gabriel Mutua, Program Analyst
Life has brought me to work with Beatrice Nguo, a program manager who seems to understand that leadership is less of a sprint and more of a gentle dance. This, and her empathetic nature, truly set her apart as a leader. Beatrice embodies the rare combination of a great strategic thinker and a great listener. I have had the chance to see her poise in meetings with high levels of uncertainty, and what struck me was how she always intervenes with a calm and grounded demeanor, creating that elusive safe space that every leader dreams to provide in such situations. Her philosophy is straightforward – Everybody has their input and is given the opportunity to be heard. She thrives on encouraging team members to work through difficulties in a productive way while transforming those issues into effortless opportunities. This, to me, is what makes her so special and has made me view leadership in a different way.
