Kanika Bahl
Name: Kanika Bahl
Position: Vice President of Country Operations
Location: Based in New York
CHAI volunteers and staff members possess a powerful blend of project management skills, diplomacy, local knowledge, and raw energy. My role is to leverage this diverse and motivated pool of talent to combat some of the developing world's most intractable public health challenges. As Vice President of Country Operations, I oversee our work in 19 countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
Our project management approach borrows heavily from management and operating techniques that have succeeded in the private sector. Prior to joining CHAI, I held private sector positions in project finance for a portfolio of Latin American countries and at a telecom start-up rolling out a new business plan in Africa. I also earned an MBA from Stanford's Graduate School of Business and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematical Economics from Rice University. Let me give an example of CHAI's project management approach. A country consulted us on a supply chain issue - they needed to improve the laboratory system used to diagnose and treat individuals with HIV; however they had limited funds to do so. We worked with the government to assess the existing system, forecast future lab demand by region, negotiate lower prices with equipment suppliers, and then execute the plan and measure results. The success of this approach built trust in our approach and has led to future engagements with the country.
We work in dynamic political climates. Because public health is so central to the way many developing countries operate, we are mindful of our words and actions. Much of my own experience in diplomacy comes from working in microfinance at the World Bank's CGAP. The CGAP consortium unites public and private funding organizations to build inclusive financial systems for the poor in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The Clinton Foundation, like the World Bank, opens up many critical doors in a given country. It then becomes our responsibility to prudently enhance the relationship. I collaborate with our Country Directors and Regional Managers to determine clear strategies for each country, to equip them with the tools they need to do their jobs, and to work through challenges as they arise.
Our success hinges on our ability to coordinate global best-practices with the tailored needs for each country in which we work. The vast majority of our employees are staffed in the field where they can monitor and respond to these needs. I began my career at CHAI in 2005 at the local level as an Africa Regional Manager based in Nairobi, Kenya. I've since worked in the field in a number of different countries setting up our offices, employing and training staff, and initiating dialogue with governments and stakeholders. In my current role, no two weeks are alike, though what is consistent is travel. For example, Sunday I might be in Botswana discussing how to effectively scale up pediatrics treatment with the Regional Manager. On Tuesday, I might be in Zambia meeting with the country team to prepare for a presentation to the Minister of Health. A few days later, I might fly to Tanzania to visit our rural programs and clinics. Traveling is the best way to stay connected to the operations teams and have a real sense of what is going on in the field. I can then accurately convey progress and key challenges during senior management meetings at CHAI's Boston headquarters to ensure our strategy reflects realities in the field.
Ultimately, it is the dedication of CHAI employees which stands out for me as the most distinctive characteristic. I greatly enjoy my work. Our management structure is as lean as possible to be efficient with donor funding and to expedite communication. That means each employee must be a valuable resource. People outside of CHAI are often surprised by the intensity with which we operate, intensity that rivals that of the most ambitious institutions in both the private and public sector. One of the hardest things about working for CHAI is letting go at the end of the day. But our commitment is tied to one of CHAI's greatest rewards - the opportunity to save lives.
