Purpose and Impact: Driving Global Health Forward Through Collaboration and Action

Posted on April 17, 2026

I’m honored to be speaking at the Global Health & Innovation Conference (GHIC), hosted by Unite For Sight, on April 18–19, 2026. GHIC brings together a global community committed to advancing public health through bold ideas, meaningful collaboration, and measurable action.

Returning to GHIC as a speaker builds on my prior engagements over the past years. Each experience has reinforced the importance of bringing together diverse voices to address complex global health challenges with urgency and purpose.

As President and CEO of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization, my work is grounded in one fundamental truth: asbestos is a known carcinogen with no safe level of exposure. Prevention is essential for safeguarding public health.

The panel titled “Defining Purpose in Global Health” will take place on Saturday from 11:00–11:55 AM, featuring:

  • Kala Mehta
  • Daniel Palazuelos
  • Eliza Squibb
  • Derek Yach

This session will explore how purpose shapes our work, informs strategies, and drives meaningful outcomes in global health.

At GHIC, the focus is on how prevention, policy, access to information, and innovation must work together to advance global health.

Prevention is the most effective strategy. Eliminating exposure stops asbestos-caused diseases before they begin.

Policy is the mechanism for change. Strong laws, enforced consistently, are critical to protecting public health and ensuring accountability.

Access to information is a global necessity. Communities need clear, accurate, and multilingual resources to understand risks and act to protect themselves.

Innovation is how impact is scaled. Leveraging digital tools and storytelling translates science into action and reaches people where they are quickly and effectively.

GHIC provides a space where ideas are shared and global health innovations are advanced. As we come together, we are reminded that global health depends on collective action. Engaging in this dialogue supports our shared goal of transforming global health through purpose, collaboration, and action.