Barbara Bush | Resilience in Global Health Leadership

Vision Statement: Global Health Corps envisions a future where health systems in the African continent and the developing world "leapfrog" those in the United States and developed nations within 20 years.

• This transformation will be driven primarily by the infusion of "radical new leadership" from the millennial generation, rather than solely by technological fixes or infrastructure improvements.
• The goal is a status quo where vaccination is as routine as topping up a mobile phone plan, with high-quality, prevention-focused care being the societal norm.

Organizational Mission & History:

• Founded in 2009 by Barbara Bush and five other 20-somethings to address the emerging leadership and management gap in global health.
• Operates on the core belief that "great people change the world," investing specifically in the next generation of diverse, empathetic, and resilient leaders who view health as a human right.
• Started as a two-person team; six years later, the team expanded 20-fold, and the organization has supported 600 exceptional young leaders.

Operational Model:

• Partners with healthcare organizations, ministries of health, large INGOs (e.g., Partners in Health, Clinton Health Access Initiative), and grassroots entities to identify specific system gaps.
• Competitively recruits two young leaders per organization to fill identified gaps, operating a "wall-less leadership development institute."
• Fellows engage in a curriculum designed with Yale's Global Health Leadership Institute and Harvard School of Global Health Delivery, focusing on systems change, policy advocacy, and entrepreneurship.
• The cohort meets five times annually to foster networking, problem-solving, and resiliency, aiming to prevent burnout among high-performing talent.

Fellow Demographics & Supply/Demand:

• Current fellows are exclusively under the age of 30, a demographic that has grown more diverse and experienced over time.
• Statistics: 50% of fellows are from the African continent; 75% are young women.
• Demand: In the current year, 120 organizations and ministries of health requested Global Health Corps fellows.
• Supply: The organization received 14,000 applications for 168 open fellowship positions; it expects to partner with 70 of the requesting organizations.

Impact Metrics & Alumni Outcomes:

• Retention: 97% of alumni continue to work in the global health sector.
• Leadership Pipeline: 10% of alumni hold direct reporting lines to their country's Minister of Health.
• Policy Influence: 22% of alumni have successfully changed healthcare policy outcomes.
• Geographic Scope: Fellows currently operate across Rwanda, Uganda, Malawi, Zambia, the U.S. (Newark, Boston, D.C., New York), and other regions.

Notable Case Studies:

• Amit Salvi: Transitioned from private sector supply chain management (Gap) to leading drug supply chains for Partners in Health in Zanzibar, Tanzania, Kenya, and Sierra Leone (Ebola response), optimizing logistics for life-saving medicines.
• Nargis Shirazi: A Ugandan journalist who used comedy and a play (featuring male pregnancy to discuss contraception) to destigmatize reproductive health, earning a meeting with Melinda Gates and founding the WOMAN Foundation to create youth-led health education.
• Coach Shalani Sala: An entomologist who leveraged expertise in mosquito behavior to lead malaria eradication programs in Zambia for PATH, emphasizing the value of niche scientific skills in broad public health contexts.
• Angel Chilwa: A sociologist who used research on unintended pregnancy to inform Ministry of Health policy and organized a national march against street harassment in Lusaka, later sitting alongside the Minister of Health in Rwanda.

Future Projections & Forward-Looking Statements:

• 10-Year Outlook: The organization projects that current fellows will ascend to top-tier leadership roles, including:
  • Nargis Shirazi serving as Minister of Health.
  • Amit Salvi serving as CEO of Partners in Health.
  • Angel Chilwa leading the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
  • Coach Shalani Sala directing the CDC.
• Strategic Shift: The network aims to evolve from a cohort of "doers" to a generation of thinkers who will fundamentally restructure healthcare systems to ensure access is as accessible as breathing air.
• Leadership Philosophy: Sustainable change requires adaptive, creative leaders who are deeply connected to communities, emphasizing that "leadership is mission critical" for addressing complex crises like Zika and Flint.

Partnership & Mentorship Context:

• Established global health giants, including Dr. Peter Piot and Dr. Paul Farmer, support the initiative by welcoming the transition of power to the new generation.
• The organization acknowledges that while "great ideas" are necessary, the execution of change relies entirely on the skills and motivation of the people behind them.