Lydia Murithi
Dr. Lydia Murithi is a global health strategist and systems thinker with more than 20 years of experience helping organizations navigate complex health challenges, strengthen systems, and build sustainable pathways to impact across Africa, South Asia, and other emerging markets. Her expertise spans health strategy, market development, behavioral science, evidence translation, and cross-sector partnerships. She brings analytical rigor, collaborative leadership, and deep experience bridging public, private, and philanthropic perspectives to complex challenges.
Across government, international NGOs, and global health initiatives, Lydia has led complex, multi-country strategies that bring together evidence, behavioral insights, organizational strategy, and stakeholder perspectives. At USAID's Bureau for Global Health, she provided strategic leadership for a $550 million portfolio spanning 41 countries, translated evidence into policy and implementation strategies, and developed a diagnostic framework to inform long-term strategy. At Pathfinder International, she led a growth strategy that improved proposal effectiveness by 26% and contributed to $6.5 million in new investments, while advising teams across 19 countries.
As Director of the Beyond Bias Initiative, she directed a $7 million behavior change initiative across Africa and South Asia, managing a 165-member team and a randomized controlled trial involving more than 33,000 participants. The initiative improved provider attitudes, patient experience, and patient-centered care and secured $4.5 million in follow-on funding.
Through Amali Health Consulting, Lydia works with philanthropic organizations, health companies, investors, and mission-driven partners on strategy, market development, health systems, and cross-sector partnerships. She is particularly interested in approaches that connect health, entrepreneurship, and sustainable economic opportunity.
Lydia holds a Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration, with a focus on maternal and child health, from Virginia Commonwealth University, and an M.S. in Global Medical and Health Policy from George Mason University's Schar School of Policy and Government. She also holds bachelor's degrees in Economics and Sociology from the University of Nairobi, Kenya.