Kimberly Kamara, PhD
Kimberly Kamara, PhD, is a global health and strategy expert with more than twenty years of experience advancing public health, infectious disease prevention, and large-scale program implementation across the Americas, Asia, and Africa. Currently serving as Associate Vice President at The END Fund, Kimberly leads high-impact initiatives focused on disease elimination, medicine distribution, and health systems strengthening, ensuring that philanthropic investments translate into measurable, sustainable outcomes. Her work is grounded in evidence generation and cross-sector collaboration, bridging research, policy, and practice to expand access to care worldwide.
Kimberly holds a PhD in Public Health and Health Policy from the CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy and an MPH from Mount Sinai Graduate School. Throughout her career, she has guided complex, multi-country programs addressing vector-borne and neglected tropical diseases, while managing global partnerships and large-scale grants. She is widely recognized for integrating data-driven insights into strategic decision-making and for translating complex scientific evidence into policies and programs that strengthen public health systems.
In addition to her leadership at The END Fund, Kimberly has contributed to academia as an adjunct professor within the City University of New York system and served in strategic and evaluation roles with organizations such as Orbis International and MindLeaps. Known for her collaborative leadership style, precision, and commitment to impact, she continues to shape innovative, evidence-based strategies that reduce suffering and improve health outcomes for communities around the world.
• SUNY Brockport- B.A.
• Mt. Sinai Graduate School- M.P.H.
• CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy- Ph.D.
• Congo Leadership Initiative
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my dedication and hard work in the field of global health, a calling I discovered during my Peace Corps service in 2006, where I helped communities in Africa improve hygiene, access clean drinking water, prevent diseases, and reduce the risk of blindness.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to stay the course, never give up, keep learning, and remember that I can make a difference.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering global health is that you, too, can make a difference, no matter the challenges that arise.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges I face in global health right now is balancing time with my two young children while remaining fully devoted to advancing funding, prevention, and impactful programs in the field.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in my work and personal life are making a meaningful difference through evidence-based practices and scientific methods, and securing the necessary grant funding to support that impact.