Fellowships are a powerful tool for academic institutions to nurture talent, drive innovation, and empower emerging leaders. Our fellowship program offers valuable opportunities for Harvard junior faculty and global health leaders to advance their careers, receive expert mentorship, and connect with Harvard’s diverse community of health professionals.
Fellowships
Harvard Learn, Engage, Advance, Disrupt “LEAD” Fellowship for Promoting Women in Global Health
Women are agents of change when they work in leadership positions. Research shows that they implement policies that create better lives for families, communities, and nations. They find ways to support and lift up women and children, who continue to experience a disproportionate burden of disease and death worldwide. Still, women remain underrepresented among the leadership ranks in public health, medicine, and in the health and life sciences.
To equip and empower more leaders in global health, together the Harvard Global Health Institute and the Global Health and Population Department at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health offer a transformational fellowship specifically designed to promote leadership skills in individuals from low- and middle-income countries who will, in turn, mentor future female leaders in global health. Harvard LEAD Fellows will have access to world-class faculty, are provided with senior mentors and the opportunity to build a custom curriculum aligned to their own unique personal growth and leadership plan. Based on their specific interests and leadership goals, LEAD fellows engage in a tailored leadership training program, speaking and networking opportunities, and independent project work. The fellowship offers the unique opportunity to build a global network of peers and relationships across schools and departments of Harvard University. The fellowship experience provides global health leaders time to reflect, recalibrate, and explore uncharted territories.
The 2024-25 LEAD fellowship program will run from September 2024 through August 2025. The program structure is a virtual engagement with a 4 week in-residence experience in Cambridge, MA in April, 2025. Program curriculum includes a blend of executive coaching, mentorship, speaking engagements, executive education courses, workshops, meetings, events, and networking.
The 2024 – 2025 cohort of LEAD Fellows will join a close-knit community of former fellows from around the world. To date, fellows have come from 16 different countries, with representation from Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and South America. Their areas of focus have ranged from HIV/AIDS and healthcare to health policy at the highest levels of government. Past fellows’ areas of expertise span disciplines including research, advocacy, administration, and policy. You can learn more about our current and past fellows here.
This program is co-sponsored by the Harvard Global Health Institute and the Global Health and Population Department at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. LEAD Fellows will hold an academic appointment as a visiting scientist in the Department of Global Health and Population at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
The 2024-2025 fellowship application is now closed. Please email HGHI_Fellowships@harvard.edu if you have any questions.
The LEAD Fellowship Experience
Core Pillars
A Harvard LEAD fellowship is a transformative experience designed to empower and promote emerging leaders in global health. A highly personalized program, the fellowship is tailored to fit the unique goals and aspirations of each of our fellows. Over a 12-month period, fellows will have access to world-class faculty, classes, and executive education programs that will encourage and challenge them in new, inspiring ways.
The core pillars of the fellowship include:
Executive Leadership training with a personal coach
1:1 mentorship by Harvard Faculty with aligned interests
Speaking opportunities at Harvard and global events
Enrollment in Harvard courses across different departments
Private Skill-building Workshops led by leading experts
Mentorship 1:1
Each fellow will be assigned two Harvard faculty mentors with aligned interests. After the introduction, fellows meet monthly with their mentors throughout the 12 month fellowship period. These meetings will serve as an opportunity for fellows to receive formal career advising, expand their networks and spark collaboration opportunities. Mentors that have been assigned to the previous cohorts of LEAD fellows include:
Dr. Kathryn Rexrode, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Chief, Division of Women’s Health, Department of Medicine Director, Office for Women’s Careers, Center for Diversity and Inclusion Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Dr. Ana Langer, Director, Women and Health Initiative, Professor of the Practice of Public Health, Department of Global Health and Population at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Dr. Salmaan A. Keshavjee, Professor in the Department of Global Health and Social Medicine and Department of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, and director of Harvard Medical School’s Center for Global Health Delivery–Dubai.
Dr. Vikrim Patel, The Pershing Square Professor of Global Health in the Department of Global Health and Social Medicine at Harvard Medical School
Dr. Rebecca Weintraub, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Part-time, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Assistant Professor of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Dr. Kevin Croke, Assistant Professor of Global Health, Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Dr. Margaret Elizabeth Kruk, Professor of Health Systems, Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Dr. Barry R. Bloom, Joan L. and Julius H. Jacobson Research Professor of Public Health, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Dr. Shekhar Saxena, Professor of the Practice of Global Mental Health at the Department of Global Health and Population at the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health
Dr. Rifat Atun, Professor of Global Health Systems at Harvard University and the Faculty Chair for the Harvard Ministerial Leadership Program
Dr. Wafaie W. Fawzi, Professor of Population Sciences and Professor of Nutrition, Epidemiology, and Global Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Chair, Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Laurie S Pascal, Senior Lecturer on Health Management, Health Policy and Management, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Dr. Marcia Castro, Andelot Professor of Demography, Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Dr. Emily Wroe, Instructor in Medicine and Department of Global Health and Social Medicine Affiliate, Harvard Medical School
Dr. Sarah Fortune, John LaPorte Given Professor of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Dr. Megan Murray, Professor in the Department of Epidemiology, Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Speaking Opportunities
Fellows will have the opportunity to speak at global health events throughout the fellowship period and beyond. In previous years, fellows have served as panelists, speakers, topic experts and directed and organized in executing LEAD fellowship events. Speaking opportunities will allow the fellow to build networks, showcase their work and enhance their public speaking skills as a leader.
Harvard Courses
Fellows will enroll in a variety of Harvard courses, depending on their interests. Examples of classes that the LEAD fellows have chosen in previous cohorts include:
- Emerging Leaders Program – Executive Education at Harvard Kennedy School
- Women in Power – Harvard Kennedy School
- High Potential Leadership – Executive Education at Harvard Business School
- Negotiation and Leadership – Executive Education at Harvard Law School
- Advanced Negotiation and Conflict Resolution Strategies – Harvard Extension School
- Leadership Development in Global Health – Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
- Leadership, Organizing and Action: Leading Change – Harvard Kennedy School
- Persuasive Communication – Executive Education at Harvard Kennedy School
- Design Thinking and Innovation – Harvard Business School
- Women Leading Change – Harvard Kennedy School
Workshops
Fellows will attend leadership workshops exclusively designed for the LEAD fellows. These small, highly interactive sessions address key leadership skills and are led by experts from Harvard and the global health community. In previous years, the workshop program covered topics including:
- Self – Promotion
- Public Speaking and Effective Communication
- Negotiation
- Crisis Management and Leadership
- Writing and Analysis for Persuasive Communication
- Navigating Bias and Designing Equitable Organizations as a Women Leader
- Leadership Decision Making
- Conflict Resolution
2024- 2025 Program Division and Information
Academic Appointment
For the duration of the fellowship period, fellows will be appointed as a visiting scientist through the Department of Global Health and Population at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
Fall Semester (September through December)
During the fall semester, fellows will engage virtually in the fellowship program to plan their unique personal growth and leadership plan. For the duration of the fellowship, fellows will hold a visiting scientist appointment through the Global Health and Population Department at HSPH and throughout the fall semester, fellows will engage in 1:1 executive leadership coaching. Deliverables for this part of the fellowship will also include academic credentialing, obtaining a J-1 visa for travel, registering/ planning for spring semester courses, and participation in virtual events and mentorship meetings.
Spring Semester (January through May)
During the spring semester, January through May 2025, fellows will participate in a variety of online executive education courses, monthly leadership workshops, mentorship, team-building opportunities, and public speaking opportunities. In April 2025, fellow will have an in-person experience in the Cambridge, MA for 1 month. During their time in-residence, fellows will take an in-person courses, workshops, and continue to meet their esteemed mentors. Fellows are only required to take a leave of absence from their work responsibilities during their time on campus, in April 2025, for four weeks total.
Summer Semester – Leadership Development (May through August)
During the final summer semester, fellows will work closely with their home organizations to execute their unique personal growth and leadership plan, with full support from their employers and institutional mentors. Deliverables for this part of the fellowship include hosting training events for their peers on specific leadership skills, participation in virtual events, progress updates to the LEAD team, a final presentation for HSPH and HGHI staff and mentoring a future LEAD fellow.
Application Requirements
We welcome applicants from all continents, regions, disciplines, sectors, genders, and gender identities. Candidates nominate themselves by applying for the fellowship. Applicants should have a minimum of a masters degree in a relevant field.
The 2024-2025 fellowship application is now closed. Please email HGHI_Fellowships@harvard.edu if you have any questions.
The 2024-2025 fellowship application is now closed. Please email HGHI_Fellowships@harvard.edu if you have any questions.
Eligibility requirements:
- Applicants must work full-time in the field of global health and have at least 15 years of professional experience. Global health related work completed as a university student does not count as professional experience.
- Applicants must have demonstrated leadership experience
- Applicants must have the full support of their employer and a champion in their organization who serves as an internal mentor.
- Applicants must take a leave of absence (or equivalent) from their home institution during their in-residence experience for 1 month in April 2025.
- Applicants must be able to obtain a J-1 visa for travel to the United States in April 2025 and must be able to reside in Cambridge, MA. NOTE: Visa fees, housing, and flights will be covered under the fellowship and a living stipend will be provided for the 4 weeks in residence.
- During the two years prior to arrival at Harvard, the fellows should not have participated in a full-time fellowship that lasted 4 months or longer.
Program Leadership
The Harvard LEAD Fellowship program is led jointly by the Harvard Global Health Institute and the Global Health and Population Department at the Harvard T.H Chan School of public health.
Bethany-Rose (BR) Daubman
- Director of Fellowship, Harvard Global Health Institute
- Co-Director, Massachusetts General Hospital Global Palliative Care Program
- Associate in Global Health, Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Global Health
- Affiliate Faculty, Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School through the Program in Global Palliative Care
- Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Jessica L. Cohen
- Co-Faculty Director of Fellowship, Harvard LEAD Fellowship for Promoting Women in Global Health
- Professor of Health Economics, Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Olivia Mulvey
- Assistant Director of Fellowships, Harvard Global Health Institute
Photo Gallery
Harvard Global Health LEAD 2023-224 Fellows, April 24, 2024. Marie Roseline Darnycka Belizaire, MD, MPH, FETP, MSc (Haiti), Emergency Preparedness Lead, World Health Organization (Central African Republic). Brenda Kateera, MD, MPH (Rwanda), Country Director, Clinton Health Access Initiative. Katherine Ann V. Reyes, MD, MPP (Philippines), Program Lead, Health Promotion Program, National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila. Bethany-Rose (BR) Daubman, Director of Fellowship. Jessica L. Cohen, Co-Faculty Director of Fellowship.
Harvard Global Health LEAD 2023-224 Fellows, April 24, 2024. Marie Roseline Darnycka Belizaire, MD, MPH, FETP, MSc (Haiti), Emergency Preparedness Lead, World Health Organization (Central African Republic). Brenda Kateera, MD, MPH (Rwanda), Country Director, Clinton Health Access Initiative. Katherine Ann V. Reyes, MD, MPP (Philippines), Program Lead, Health Promotion Program, National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila. Bethany-Rose (BR) Daubman, Director of Fellowship. Jessica L. Cohen, Co-Faculty Director of Fellowship.
Harvard Global Health LEAD 2023-224 Fellows, April 24, 2024. Marie Roseline Darnycka Belizaire, MD, MPH, FETP, MSc (Haiti), Emergency Preparedness Lead, World Health Organization (Central African Republic). Brenda Kateera, MD, MPH (Rwanda), Country Director, Clinton Health Access Initiative. Katherine Ann V. Reyes, MD, MPP (Philippines), Program Lead, Health Promotion Program, National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila. Bethany-Rose (BR) Daubman, Director of Fellowship. Jessica L. Cohen, Co-Faculty Director of Fellowship.
Harvard Global Health LEAD 2023-224 Fellows, April 24, 2024. Marie Roseline Darnycka Belizaire, MD, MPH, FETP, MSc (Haiti), Emergency Preparedness Lead, World Health Organization (Central African Republic). Brenda Kateera, MD, MPH (Rwanda), Country Director, Clinton Health Access Initiative. Katherine Ann V. Reyes, MD, MPP (Philippines), Program Lead, Health Promotion Program, National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila. Bethany-Rose (BR) Daubman, Director of Fellowship. Jessica L. Cohen, Co-Faculty Director of Fellowship.
Harvard Global Health LEAD 2023-224 Fellows, April 24, 2024. Marie Roseline Darnycka Belizaire, MD, MPH, FETP, MSc (Haiti), Emergency Preparedness Lead, World Health Organization (Central African Republic). Brenda Kateera, MD, MPH (Rwanda), Country Director, Clinton Health Access Initiative. Katherine Ann V. Reyes, MD, MPP (Philippines), Program Lead, Health Promotion Program, National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila. Bethany-Rose (BR) Daubman, Director of Fellowship. Jessica L. Cohen, Co-Faculty Director of Fellowship.
Harvard Global Health LEAD 2023-224 Fellows, April 24, 2024. Marie Roseline Darnycka Belizaire, MD, MPH, FETP, MSc (Haiti), Emergency Preparedness Lead, World Health Organization (Central African Republic). Brenda Kateera, MD, MPH (Rwanda), Country Director, Clinton Health Access Initiative. Katherine Ann V. Reyes, MD, MPP (Philippines), Program Lead, Health Promotion Program, National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila. Bethany-Rose (BR) Daubman, Director of Fellowship. Jessica L. Cohen, Co-Faculty Director of Fellowship.
Harvard Global Health LEAD 2023-224 Fellows, April 24, 2024. Marie Roseline Darnycka Belizaire, MD, MPH, FETP, MSc (Haiti), Emergency Preparedness Lead, World Health Organization (Central African Republic). Brenda Kateera, MD, MPH (Rwanda), Country Director, Clinton Health Access Initiative. Katherine Ann V. Reyes, MD, MPP (Philippines), Program Lead, Health Promotion Program, National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila. Bethany-Rose (BR) Daubman, Director of Fellowship. Jessica L. Cohen, Co-Faculty Director of Fellowship.
Harvard Global Health LEAD 2023-224 Fellows, April 24, 2024. Marie Roseline Darnycka Belizaire, MD, MPH, FETP, MSc (Haiti), Emergency Preparedness Lead, World Health Organization (Central African Republic). Brenda Kateera, MD, MPH (Rwanda), Country Director, Clinton Health Access Initiative. Katherine Ann V. Reyes, MD, MPP (Philippines), Program Lead, Health Promotion Program, National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila. Bethany-Rose (BR) Daubman, Director of Fellowship. Jessica L. Cohen, Co-Faculty Director of Fellowship.
Harvard Global Health LEAD 2023-224 Fellows, April 24, 2024. Marie Roseline Darnycka Belizaire, MD, MPH, FETP, MSc (Haiti), Emergency Preparedness Lead, World Health Organization (Central African Republic). Brenda Kateera, MD, MPH (Rwanda), Country Director, Clinton Health Access Initiative. Katherine Ann V. Reyes, MD, MPP (Philippines), Program Lead, Health Promotion Program, National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila. Bethany-Rose (BR) Daubman, Director of Fellowship. Jessica L. Cohen, Co-Faculty Director of Fellowship.
Harvard Global Health LEAD 2023-224 Fellows, April 24, 2024. Marie Roseline Darnycka Belizaire, MD, MPH, FETP, MSc (Haiti), Emergency Preparedness Lead, World Health Organization (Central African Republic). Brenda Kateera, MD, MPH (Rwanda), Country Director, Clinton Health Access Initiative. Katherine Ann V. Reyes, MD, MPP (Philippines), Program Lead, Health Promotion Program, National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila. Bethany-Rose (BR) Daubman, Director of Fellowship. Jessica L. Cohen, Co-Faculty Director of Fellowship.
Harvard Global Health LEAD 2023-224 Fellows, April 24, 2024. Marie Roseline Darnycka Belizaire, MD, MPH, FETP, MSc (Haiti), Emergency Preparedness Lead, World Health Organization (Central African Republic). Brenda Kateera, MD, MPH (Rwanda), Country Director, Clinton Health Access Initiative. Katherine Ann V. Reyes, MD, MPP (Philippines), Program Lead, Health Promotion Program, National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila. Bethany-Rose (BR) Daubman, Director of Fellowship. Jessica L. Cohen, Co-Faculty Director of Fellowship.
Harvard Global Health LEAD 2023-224 Fellows, April 24, 2024. Marie Roseline Darnycka Belizaire, MD, MPH, FETP, MSc (Haiti), Emergency Preparedness Lead, World Health Organization (Central African Republic). Brenda Kateera, MD, MPH (Rwanda), Country Director, Clinton Health Access Initiative. Katherine Ann V. Reyes, MD, MPP (Philippines), Program Lead, Health Promotion Program, National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila. Bethany-Rose (BR) Daubman, Director of Fellowship. Jessica L. Cohen, Co-Faculty Director of Fellowship.
FAQ
Are LEAD fellows paid?
During the in-residence month on campus, fellows will receive a living stipend for those four weeks. Visa fees, housing costs, flights to and from Cambridge, MA, and all course fees are also provided by the fellowship.
During the fellowship, do I need to be completely removed from my work responsibilities?
Fellows are only required to be free from work commitments during their time in-residence for four weeks during April, 2024.
I am early in my career but have recently transitioned into a leadership position. Am I eligible for this fellowship?
Applicants are encouraged to have 15 years of professional experience and proven leadership capacity and experience.
How long is this fellowship?
The LEAD fellowship is 12 months in duration, September through August. There is no opportunity for an extension beyond 12 months.
As a LEAD fellow, can I take courses at any Harvard School?
Yes. As a LEAD Fellow, we encourage you to apply to a variety of executive education courses offered at the various Harvard Schools (HBS, HMS, HSPH, HKS). You will take mostly online courses, and 1 in-person course in April, 2024.
Who do I contact if I have questions about the fellowship and/or my eligibility?
Please email HGHI_Fellowships@harvard.edu if you have any questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Current & Past Fellows
2023 Lead Fellows
- Cindy Chan Tha, MB, BS, MSc
- Marie Roseline Darnycka Belizaire, MD, MPH, FETP, MSc
- Brenda Kateera, MD, MPH
- Katherine Ann V. Reyes, MD, MPP
2022 Lead Fellows
- Ana Cristina González-Vélez, MA, MD, PhD
- Choolwe Jacobs, PhD, MPH
- Flora Nwagagbo, MBBS, MPH, PMP
- Ifrah Abdi, BSN, MMSc-GHD
2021 Lead Fellows
- Bridget Msolomba Malewezi, MD, MPH
- Mareli Claassens, MBChB, PhD
- Julieta Kavetuna, M.Phil
- Alice Kayongo, MPH
2019 Lead Fellows
- Stela Bivol, MD, MPH
- Maureen Luba, B.S.
- Shabnum Sarfraz, MBBS, MBA
- Sai Subhasree Raghavan, PhD