Our Story
We were established in 2020, when the case for digital transformation of health as a critical enabler of health for all became undeniable during the COVID pandemic. Our founding partners recognised that digital technology and the use of data would be one of the most effective ways of increasing health system effectiveness and efficiency, and to improve equitable access to health services to accelerate progress towards universal health coverage. We believe digital health is not only a technological issue, but a political issue, and it is therefore essential to focus on the foundational pillars of digital health transformation: strong political will and the enabling environment. These are critical to ensure digital health improves health equity and outcomes for everyone, everywhere.
It was against this backdrop that Transform Health was founded in 2020: to strengthen the enabling environment for the digital transformation of health, including data governance to responsible AI, so that we can achieve universal health coverage.
Vision
To ensure universal health coverage is achieved by 2030 by harnessing digital technology and the use of data.
Mission
To bring together diverse partners, particularly young people, women and marginalised communities, to advocate, campaign, influence, and provide technical support to strengthen policy, legislation, regulation and financial conditions for the digital transformation of health systems.
Our objectives
National legislation, regulation, policies, strategies for digital health transformation adopted, resourced and implemented.
Equity and rights-based national health data governance and AI frameworks adopted and implemented (e.g. through legislation and regulations).
More, better aligned, coordinated, sustainable and accountable digital health investment (from governments, donors, private sector) to support national digital health implementation.
Inclusive and meaningful engagement of civil society (particularly youth, women and marginalised communities) in the digital transformation of health, including governance and processes.
How we work
We build political will to prioritise multi-stakeholder action towards the equitable, inclusive and sustainable digital transformation of health systems.
We work with, mobilise and empower youth leadership to engage in and shape the digital health transformation agenda.
We advocate, shape policies, hold stakeholders accountable, and track progress at policy and political levels.
We convene and engage stakeholders and civil society, providing a platform to elevate diverse voices – particularly those of youth, women and marginalised communities.
We elevate key issues and mobilise public and political support for collective action.
We develop tools and provide technical support to strengthen policy frameworks, laws and regulations, and support capacity development through tailored curricula.
We strengthen the evidence base through research and promote cross-country learning and knowledge exchange.
Our values
Our work is underpinned by our core values.
Transform Health’s operating model
Transform Health is a coalition where local ownership drives delivery, governance provides strategic oversight, and a central secretariat enables concerted action. Our operating model ensures shared ownership, accountability and collective decision-making across all aspects of the coalition’s work.
Our Team
Dr. Christoph Benn was appointed President of Transform Health in 2021. He is a member of the Governance & Strategy circle and co-chair of the Resource and Investment (R&I) circle that brings together the main international organisations, bilateral partners, civil society, and foundations. Christoph focuses on accelerating UHC in LMICs through innovations in digital health and international health financing. He has extensive experience in managing political relations with governments, multilateral organisations, Civil Society, and the Private Sector and is currently Director for Global Health Diplomacy at the Joep Lange Institute.
Mathilde is the founding Executive Director of Transform Health. She leads the Enabling Function and reports to the Executive Committee. She is a seasoned advocate and coalition builder with experience bringing partners and networks together to deliver on common agendas, most recently leading a multi-stakeholder coalition across 20 countries at World Vision International based in South-East Asia. Mathilde’s career spans over 15 years across Asia, Africa, Europe and the USA, currently residing in San Francisco. She is passionate about all things digital to champion the rights of youth and women.
Martin Leschhorn Strebel is the treasurer of Transform Health. He is a historian and has been working for non-governmental organisations since 2000. He has been working for Medicus Mundi Switzerland since 2008 – as its Executive Director since 2014. Martin publishes on various topics of global health and Switzerland’s international cooperation. He sits on the board of Medicus Mundi International and the civil society platform Agenda 2030. He lives in Switzerland and is a member of the local parliament in Riehen.
Natasha Sunderji is the Global Health and Nutrition Lead for Accenture Development Partnerships. By engaging Accenture’s global workforce, she works to address the world’s social, economic and environmental issues.
Natasha is a visionary healthcare leader with 20 years of experience advising companies, nonprofits, and donors on growth strategy, innovative business models, digital health, and cross sector partnerships. She has authored multiple reports on the future of digital health and was named a Top 50 Innovator in 2020 by the World Summit AI community.
Natasha holds a Bachelors in Biomedical Engineering from University of Toronto, and a Master’s in Public Policy from Harvard Kennedy School.
Dykki Settle joined Medic in 2024 and currently serves as Interim CEO, based remotely in Seattle, USA. Dykki brings more than 30 years of experience in leadership and development of digital technology, data systems, and their enabling environments in more than 20 countries and global organizations. In his prior role as Chief Digital Officer at PATH, Dykki co-founded PATH’s Center of Digital and Data Excellence as well as Digital Square, the USAID/BMGF-funded PATH-led flagship global initiative for digital health supporting more than 40 implementing partners and over 35 digital health public goods used by almost every country in Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.
Dykki also serves in several global technical leadership capacities. He serves as a Commissioner on the Lancet/Financial Times ‘Governing Health Futures 2030’ Commission, co-chair of the Transform Health Coalition’s Governance and Strategy Circle, and as Global Ambassador for Digital Health for the G20/G7 Health and Development Partnership.
Mohamed is a medical doctor and global health enthusiast aiming to pursue a career in Global Health Policy in low and lower-middle-income countries. I have +6 years of experience working in health policy, advocacy and meaningful youth engagement. Mohamed currently works as the Eastern Mediterranean Region Representative for Young Experts: Tech for Health: He works in networking with and supporting youth-led organizations in the region to engage in the digital health space in their countries. Mohamed currently co-chairs the policy circle of the transform health coalition, coordinating the efforts of the coalition member organizations in driving the digital health agenda for UHC. He used to be the policy assistant at the International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations. Mohamed wants to deepen his understanding of health systems reform initiatives through a global lens and he aspires to be at the forefront of global health policy change in the future.
Mathilde is the founding Executive Director of Transform Health. She leads the Enabling Function and reports to the Executive Committee. She is a seasoned advocate and coalition builder with experience bringing partners and networks together to deliver on common agendas, most recently leading a multi-stakeholder coalition across 20 countries at World Vision International based in South-East Asia. Mathilde’s career spans over 15 years across Asia, Africa, Europe and the USA, currently residing in San Francisco. She is passionate about all things digital to champion the rights of youth and women.
Danielle is a multidimensional leader with a background in software engineering, leadership, media and communications. She is an Open Scholar at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus in Jamaica, where she has served as the President of the Guild of Students. Said to be ‘one of the field’s brightest young minds’, Danielle believes in the power of tech in edifying society and is happy to be working at the intersection of technology and healthcare. She has a natural affinity for leadership and represents the voice of youth on local, regional and international councils. Danielle aspires to become a world leader in technological representation for the Caribbean and Latin America.
Nahashon Aluoka is an advocacy, campaigns and policy specialist with over fifteen years of experience in Africa and globally. He has provided technical advocacy and campaign expertise and leadership over the years to successfully influence policy, legislation and knowledge, attitude and practices in different countries working on different themes including maternal and child health, ending violence against children, humanitarian advocacy, social accountability and pandemic prevention, preparedness and response (PPPR), among others. Before joining Transform Health Coalition, Nahashon was the Regional Advisor (Africa) and Global Partnership Lead with the Pandemic Action Network (PAN). Previously, he worked with Save the Children International (SCI), East and Southern Africa Regional Office and World Vision International (WVI), East Africa Regional Office.
Tejas is a purpose-driven communications and advocacy professional with over eight years of experience managing global communications networks and leading multi-stakeholder campaigns in the development sector. Over his professional career, he has built his strengths and expertise in strategic communications, brand management, communications design, and digital marketing – his journey seeing a deliberate transition from conventional marketing to cause-driven communications. Having transitioned from brand marketing to cause-driven communications, he has led strategies for prominent global and national organisations, advancing advocacy agendas, strengthening partner ecosystems, and supporting programmatic initiatives. Skilled in simplifying complex policy and research into accessible digital-first narratives, he focuses on brand visibility, issue-advocacy, and stakeholder engagement and alignment across diverse partners and regions. He also has entrepreneurial experience, building a small new media based social venture that leveraged his skills in brand strategy, consumer insights, and performance marketing to generate employment for women working in NGO run skilling centres.
Ndifanji is a global health researcher, entrepreneurial, self-driven and transformative leader with over 7 years of success in various roles including program management, research, policy and advocacy. Adept in strategy formulation, project management, policy development, budgeting, data management, digital health, donor engagement, youth mobilisation and engagement and report writing. Ndifanji also focuses on capacity building, reviewing project activities and data with staff to provide evidence-based recommendations to increase effectiveness and efficiency, and works with project teams at all levels.
Kirsten has over 15 years’ experience in global health policy and advocacy, equity and gender. She is the Policy Lead at Transform Health, working with the Policy Circle and coalition members on the development and delivery of influencing strategies. Previously, Kirsten was Global Head of Policy and Advocacy at Save the Children International, providing leadership for health and nutrition advocacy across the organisation; and at Save the Children UK led the health advocacy team. She was also Vice Chair of the GAVI CSO Steering Committee and a member of the UK Action for Global Health Steering Committee. Kirsten previously worked at the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation and UNDP Kenya.
Dr. Frank Smith has over twenty years’ experience leading advocacy campaigns and policy teams in the international development, humanitarian and human rights sectors. He has set up and run a number of global campaigns focusing on health including Child Health Now at World Vision International and the No More Epidemics at Management Sciences for Health. Frank has also worked with the private sector as Head of Policy and Campaigns for Airbnb in Spain and Portugal.
Caesar is a health economist with extensive experience in health system strengthening, youth development and engagement, digital health, reproductive health programming, policy advocacy, girls’ empowerment, and health financing. His impressive track record includes developing and implementing impactful projects in low and middle income countries and providing technical assistance to youth-led and youth-focused organisations.
Kristiana Bruneau is a global advocacy, external relations and campaigns professional with expertise in health, nutrition, youth SRHR, and children’s rights. With experience across national, multilateral, and global decision-making and coalition spaces, she works to advance enabling rights-based, equity-driven, and community-centered environments. With particular focus on issues of health equity, polycrises resilience, education, and justice, advocating for decolonization and anti-racism in global development. Her career has taken her across continents and countries, shaping her commitment to inclusive, sustainable change. She holds degrees from the University of the Witwatersrand and Simon Fraser University, and she was a visiting scholar and researcher to the Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s Harry S. Truman Institute for the Advancement of Peace. A former Rotary Global Ambassadorial Scholar in Child and Maternal Health and Paul Harris Fellow for Conflict Resolution, she values people centred collaboration, partnerships, and rethinking power structures in systems and policy. Kristiana was also a Rotary Exchange student to Thailand.
Lilian is a bold and dynamic advocate for youth empowerment, digital health, and gender equity, dedicated to transforming global health systems through strategic advocacy, policy influence, and digital innovation. A Pan-Africanist deeply rooted in the Ubuntu philosophy and Afro-feminism, she champions community-driven solutions, equity, and collective liberation in health and digital inclusion. Holding a Bachelor’s in International Relations from Stanford University and currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Political Science, she is recognized for her audacity, courage, and go-getter spirit in driving systemic change. Lilian excels in building networks, forging strategic partnerships, and amplifying youth voices to influence digital rights, sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR), and universal health coverage (UHC). A champion of intergenerational co-leadership, she collaborates across sectors to ensure meaningful youth representation in global health governance. With an unwavering commitment to inclusive and sustainable solutions, Lilian works to create a future where young leaders thrive and drive impact on a global scale.
Maggy is the Executive Assistant and Office Manager at Transform Health, where she supports the CEO in day-to-day operations and administration, while liaising with stakeholders and vendors at all levels. She plays a key role in ensuring the coalition’s projects, events, and governance processes are well coordinated and delivered smoothly. With strong expertise in office management, finance, and event logistics, Maggy oversees financial tracking, vendor management, and compliance, while also managing platforms, contracts, and organizational systems. She provides high-level executive support, coordinates board and committee meetings, and drives efficiency across the enabling function. Maggy brings a track record of strengthening operations and ensuring seamless execution to advance the coalition’s goals.
Pape Gaye is a native of Senegal and a lifelong advocate for family planning, the global health workforce, and access to health care for all. Under his leadership as president and CEO of IntraHealth International from 2004 to 2020, the organization became a major player in the field of human resources for health. Gaye draws on three decades of leadership in international health and development as he oversaw work in 40 countries to strengthen their health workforces and health systems. Gaye began his career with the US Peace Corps and went on to work with the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Committee and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Gaye holds a master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of California. His current board and advisory services include: the Duke University’s Global Health Institute (DGHI), InterAction, and Living Goods. Gaye founded the Baobab Institute for Health and Development based in Senegal to focus on the capacity strengthening of local NGOs. He is the Co-Chair of the Transform Health Governance & Strategy Circle, which serves as the coalition’s Board.
Dykki Settle joined Medic in 2024 and currently serves as Interim CEO, based remotely in Seattle, USA. Dykki brings more than 30 years of experience in leadership and development of digital technology, data systems, and their enabling environments in more than 20 countries and global organizations. In his prior role as Chief Digital Officer at PATH, Dykki co-founded PATH’s Center of Digital and Data Excellence as well as Digital Square, the USAID/BMGF-funded PATH-led flagship global initiative for digital health supporting more than 40 implementing partners and over 35 digital health public goods used by almost every country in Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.
Dykki also serves in several global technical leadership capacities. He serves as a Commissioner on the Lancet/Financial Times ‘Governing Health Futures 2030’ Commission, co-chair of the Transform Health Coalition’s Governance and Strategy Circle, and as Global Ambassador for Digital Health for the G20/G7 Health and Development Partnership.
Mohamed is a medical doctor and global health enthusiast aiming to pursue a career in Global Health Policy in low and lower-middle-income countries. I have +6 years of experience working in health policy, advocacy and meaningful youth engagement. Mohamed currently works as the Eastern Mediterranean Region Representative for Young Experts: Tech for Health: He works in networking with and supporting youth-led organizations in the region to engage in the digital health space in their countries. Mohamed currently co-chairs the policy circle of the transform health coalition, coordinating the efforts of the coalition member organizations in driving the digital health agenda for UHC. He used to be the policy assistant at the International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations. Mohamed wants to deepen his understanding of health systems reform initiatives through a global lens and he aspires to be at the forefront of global health policy change in the future.
Joseline Carias Galeano is a female CEO, project management specialist, consultant, digital health promoter and networking activist. She is currently the General Manager and member of the Board of Directors at the Central American Health Informatics Network – RECAINSA, an organization created in 2013 – and formed by leaders and volunteers from the health and ICT sectors in the LAC region – with the intention of supporting national and regional digital health strategies and generating spaces for the exchange of experiences and best practices in both the public and private sectors. She is co-creator of different projects and initiatives aim to boosting digital transformation in LAC specially for female professionals in with the objective of achieving greater participation in digital health field. She is also an expert member of the Digital Health working group of the ITU Broadband Commission and UNESCO, expert member of the Technical Committee of the Global Digital Health Index, expert member of the Campaign and Data Policy Circle at the coalition of Transform Health, Advisory Council Member at the Global Digital Health Network and Co-Chair of the Gender, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Small Working Group at the Digital Health & Interoperability Working Group. Joseline believes that participation of women is vital to ensure the processes of development and transformation of human society, been recognized as one of the Digital Health Women Champions in 2021-2022 by IDB and PAHO
Laurie Werner leads the Center of Digital and Data Excellence at PATH, which partners with countries and communities to achieve health equity through digital transformation and data use. Over the past twenty years, she has focused her career on seeking sustainable solutions to global poverty and health. She began her career working in international development in Latin America, with a focus on sustainable agriculture practices, land ownership, and microfinance. She led a multi-faceted program across multiple countries for Agros International, managing the program implementation and operations in five country offices in Central America and Mexico. Ms. Werner joined PATH in 2011, as a member of the Decade of Vaccines Collaboration Secretariat, where she coordinated various working groups of experts and external consultation events to support the creation of the Global Vaccine Action Plan. She then led the Better Immunization Data (BID) Initiative portfolio of work at PATH in 2013, focusing on improving immunization data collection, quality, and use for better decision-making in partnership with African countries’. More recently she provided leadership to the Data Use Partnership in Tanzania and the Data Use Acceleration and Learning project, identifying the enablers for successful digital transformation across five African countries. Laurie has an M.P.A. from the Evans School of Public Affairs at the University of Washington.
Steve Ollis previously directed the USAID Country Health Information Systems and Data Use (CHISU) program. He is also the co-chair of the Global Digital Health Network, a 3,600+ member convening organization dedicated to sharing best digital health practices with ministries of health, funders, and health implementing partners. Before joining JSI, Steve was COO of D-tree International, developing digital health solutions to improve the quality of care frontline health workers provide. He also spent 13 years in management and information technology consulting for Big 5 firms and startups. Steve has project management professional certifications and a Six Sigma green belt.
Amy Paul brings over a decade of experience in global health and development. Her expertise spans emerging technologies, global health, interdisciplinary research, systems thinking, and applied bioethics. As Director of Professional Services at Vital Wave, she leads research and client engagement on a wide range of research and strategy projects related to digital development, digital health systems, and data governance approaches. Previously, Amy worked in USAID’s Innovation, Technology, and Research Hub. In this role, she advised on the implications, application, and responsible use of emerging technology in development. With a focus on technologies including machine learning, artificial intelligence, and digital identity systems, she engaged in research to understand the social, economic, political, and ethical aspects of how people interact with technology. Ms. Paul holds a Ph.D. Health Policy and Management from Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, as well as an M.P.H. in Public Health Genetics and B.S. in Biology from the University of Washington.
Corazon Aquino is a Partnership Specialist and passionate about creating and sustaining partnerships for development, particularly access to quality healthcare and education. She has over 12 years of experience in partnership development, stakeholder engagement and mobilizing resources to fund change in community health systems. Her experience and expertise covers thought leadership, advocacy, and multiple partner engagements (government included) which have led to significant contributions and reforms in the areas of education, health, poverty reduction and women empowerment. Corazon is currently a Senior Partnerships Manager at Amref Health Africa, leading and mentoring a team responsible for exceptional partner relations, knowledge management and events coordination. Prior to Amref Health Africa, Corazon served as a Fundraising Manager at Actionaid International Kenya where she led the establishment of a local fundraising programme. Corazon is also serving as a member and co-chair of Transform Health’s Data Working Group, a platform for stakeholders to coordinate and jointly implement activities in support of stronger Health Data Governance and a member of the health committee at the Kenya Chamber of Commerce and Industries a membership-based trade support institution (TSI) working to protect commercial and industrial interests of the Kenyan business community while promoting trade within and outside Kenya.