Her Story
About Mariana
Mariana Stephens serves as Founder and CEO of a venture focused on global health innovation. She is developing a device and an AI app to support country programs with diagnostics for intestinal worms, collaborating with Ministries of Health and drawing on connections up to the WHO in Geneva. With a background spanning more than 25 years in nonprofit development and humanitarian work primarily in Africa and Southeast Asia, Stephens transitioned to this entrepreneurial path after her position was eliminated due to USAID termination while she was completing her MBA at Goizueta Business School at Emory University. She graduated at the top of her class, earning Beta Gamma Sigma membership, and also received a Certificate of Leadership as well as executive leadership training from Emory. Stephens emphasizes authenticity and preparation in her career advice, reflecting her shift from program implementation to strategy and operations in the health sector through this accidental for-profit venture.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Mariana
01What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Be authentic. Throughout my decade in the field, I've been taught to not be afraid to sit at the table. If you don't know something, don't try to make up something. Just be as prepared as you can be.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Find something you love to do, to wake up to every morning, because this field it changes and has all these kind of curveballs. And I think that if you've got a strong enough, Passion for it, that it'll carry you through all of the turmoil. No matter how difficult any position gets, that... You wake up every morning. And you... you're looking forward to it, rather than thinking it's gonna be this very, repetitive kind of, robotic role.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The challenge is getting that first person to truly Believe and take that chance on me. I just had a meeting yesterday with various investors. And... you know, do I go that route, or do I apply for grants, and kind of maintain my... 100% of the company.
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