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Meet the Leader

How one global health leader prepares teams for the unexpected: Gavi CEO

How does the CEO of an organization brought in to help respond to fast-moving health crises like Mpox and other infectious diseases plan for the unexpected? Sania Nishtar heads up Gavi - The Vaccine Alliance, an organization that has helped vaccinate over one billion children in the world's poorest countries and prevent more than 18 million deaths worldwide. Sania talks to us about the planning, mindsets, technologies and scenario planning her team uses to be ready for any emergency. She explains the importance of securing ‘crystal clarity’ in advance for what its expected to deliver and how that helps the organization prepare for a range of circumstances and efficiently coordinate with governments and other global organizations when time is of the essence. This organization was launched at Davos 25 years ago and she shares what what’s needed for global health security and strengthened public health systems now and in months and years ahead.


This interview was recorded in January 2025 at the Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland

Guests:

Sania Nishtar

Chief Executive Officer, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance

Podcast transcript

Hosted by:

Linda Lacina

Digital Editor, World Economic Forum

Topics:
Health and Healthcare Systems
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