Work Experience

Co-founder | Kumbu Health 

  San Francisco, CA | September 2011-present | Launched low-tech mobile platform to support the work of community health workers in developing world contexts. 

Co-founder | MobileMed Apps, LLC

San Francisco, CA | Dec 2009-present | Lead design and development of an innovative medical cell phone application to track patient symptoms, increase treatment adherence, and improve health outcomes. Head team comprised of app developers, designers, and doctors. 

Community Capacity Building Specialist | HealthRight International 

Kitale, Kenya | April-June 2011 | Supported local staff in the development of systems to more effectively advance project goals using participatory methodologies.  Developed training materials, bolstered relationships with community partners, researched opportunities to incorporate new technologies, and assisted in transition of new Project Director. 

Human Factors Consultant | Stanford University d.school

Kibera, Kenya | May 2011 | Conducted ethnographic research and need-finding in Kenya’s largest urban slum for “Liberation Technology” course.  Synthesized data into recommendations for design iterations.

Health Facility Strengthening Specialist | HealthRight International

Kathmandu, Nepal | Jan-Feb 2011 | Strategized with local partners to develop facility-specific strengthening plans to improve maternal health. Created user-friendly electronic toolkit to guide project implementation. Advised on national HIV/AIDS strategy.

Program Specialist | Alameda County Public Health Dept.

 Oakland, CA | May-Dec 2010 | Facilitated a multi-sector collaborative to address health & social disparities. Utilized social media and web-based tools to create a vibrant online learning community and repository for group materials.  Developed a successful proposal for an innovative model of healthy food access for 300 pregnant women in two disadvantaged communities.

Health Care Coordinator | Berkeley Food & Housing Project

Berkeley, CA | Mar 2009-Jan 2011 | Initiated model of improved health access for the homeless by integrating on-site workshops and clinics at four service centers and launching city-wide Health Fair. Created new monitoring and evaluation strategy through digital tool development, delivered data-driven reports, wrote grants.

Communications Strategist | San Francisco Otolaryngology

San Francisco, CA | May 2009-Mar 2010 | Designed company’s first website and implemented innovative new marketing tools and strategies.

Health and Development Consultant | Various Organizations

Cape Town, KwaZulu Natal | Jun 2006-Nov 2008 | Served as Interim Women’s Employment Project Administrator for Philani Nutrition Center; instituted a new system to track project sales and revenues. Developed a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation strategy for Little Elephant Training Center for Early Education. Coordinated proposals and wrote reports for Ikhayalami Building Project.

 Rural Health Planning Analyst | Clinton HIV/AIDS Initiative (CHAI)

Kigali, Rwanda | Apr 2008-Jul 2008 | Developed health system strengthening plans for two districts in Rwanda, serving 600,000 people. Performed detailed baseline assessments, analyzed health systems data, generated costing gap for implementation of scale-up. Led district-level strategic planning meetings among diverse stakeholders, and wrote full implementation plans.

Associate Director | CHOSA

 Cape Town, South Africa | Nov 2006-Mar 2008 | Developed CHOSA’s founding mission statement. Provided technical assistance and capacity building to six community-based organizations serving over 500 children affected by HIV/AIDS. Assisted in fundraising activities, wrote reports and proposals, and cultivated relationships with donors.

Founder and Project Director | Philani Family Fund 

Cape Town, South Africa | Dec 2005–Dec 2008 | Designed and implemented a family strengthening project at Philani Nutrition Center to provide housing and scholarships to HIV+ mothers. Worked closely with outreach workers to create sustainable interventions and family empowerment. Wrote publications, managed project budget, and supervised interns.

Volunteer Coordinator | Council for International Educational Exchange (CIEE) 

Cape Town, South Africa | Jul 2005-Nov 2007 | Designed and led a robust volunteer program at two children’s homes serving 100+ children. Developed an educational after-school curriculum.

Education

MPhil, HIV/AIDS & Society | University of Cape Town | June 2008

B.A., Urban Studies; Minor, Business Administration | Fordham University | May 2005 

Publications

Multi-Dimensional Forms of Poverty Experienced by Unemployed, HIV-positive Mothers Living in Khayelitsha. CSSR Working Paper No.243. Cape Town: AIDS and Society Research Unit, Centre for Social Science Research, University of Cape Town.

Responding to Multi-Dimensional Poverty: Exploring the Impacts of Government, Community, and the Individual Resilience of HIV-positive Unemployed Mothers in Khayelitsha.  CSSR Working Paper No. 246. Cape Town: AIDS and Society Research Unit, Centre for Social Science Research, University of Cape Town.