Her Story
About Halima
Halima Ahmadi-Montecalvo, PhD, MPH is a respected public health leader, researcher, and executive serving as Vice President of Research and Evaluation in the health technology sector. With more than 21 years of experience spanning public health, research, and population health strategy, she leads enterprise-wide evaluation initiatives that measure the impact of social care investments on health outcomes. Her work focuses on demonstrating how addressing social determinants of health—including food insecurity, transportation access, and other social needs—improves outcomes for individuals and communities served by health systems, health plans, government agencies, and Medicaid programs. Through rigorous research, conference presentations, and peer-reviewed publications, she continues to advance evidence-based approaches that strengthen value-based care and population health. Dr. Ahmadi's career is grounded in a unique combination of academic excellence, analytical rigor, and real-world leadership. She earned a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology and Community Health in 2007 and a PhD in Social and Behavioral Sciences in 2015. Throughout her career, she has partnered with healthcare organizations, federal agencies, and community stakeholders to evaluate large-scale public health initiatives and develop strategies that improve health equity and system performance. She is widely recognized for her expertise in social determinants of health, social epidemiology, program evaluation, impact measurement, and health policy, while maintaining a leadership philosophy built on transparency, integrity, and scientific rigor. A first-generation refugee who grew up in Afghanistan, Dr. Ahmadi draws inspiration from her own lived experiences with the social factors that influence health and well-being. Her personal journey fuels her commitment to advancing equitable healthcare solutions through research, innovation, and community partnership. Beyond her executive responsibilities, she serves on the board of Eagle Online Academy, which expands educational opportunities for women in developing countries, and on the advisory board of Safe Path Prosperity, an organization dedicated to addressing period poverty. She is also an active member of CHIEF, the American Public Health Association, and AcademyHealth, reflecting her ongoing dedication to leadership, collaboration, and improving public health outcomes worldwide.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Halima
01What do you attribute your success to?
My success is rooted in the experiences that shaped my resilience and purpose. Growing up in Afghanistan and later becoming a first-generation refugee in the United States gave me firsthand insight into how social determinants affect health and well-being. Those experiences fueled my passion for education, meaningful service, and creating lasting impact. I have also been inspired by exceptional role models whose leadership has influenced my commitment to leading with purpose and improving outcomes for individuals and communities.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received is to let evidence guide every decision. Early in my career, I learned the importance of collecting high-quality data and ensuring that every recommendation or action is supported by sound scientific evidence. That principle continues to shape my work and decision-making today.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this field is to seek not only mentorship but also sponsorship. Mentors provide guidance, while sponsors actively advocate for your growth and create opportunities. I also encourage experienced professionals to open doors for others by speaking up for talented women when they are not in the room. That kind of advocacy is what truly helps women advance in their careers.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest opportunity is that people are finally realizing that to have a healthy population, it's imperative to address the conditions that people live in and resources they have available, the social drivers. The challenges are fragmented systems where work in government, private entities, state and local levels are pretty siloed. Technology can be the catalyst and glue that brings these siloed systems together.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Transparency, integrity, honesty, and just a level of rigor in whatever I do. I'm very analytical and evidence-based. That's how I lead my life, making sure that everything is kind of built or couched in integrity.
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