Her Story
About Sandra
Sandra Ugese serves as a public health counselor with a focus on maternal child health. She provides health information and counseling to young mothers and adolescent girls on topics ranging from basic health practices to child nutrition. Ugese began her development work in 2009 and transitioned into public health in 2024. She is currently completing an MPH at George Washington University, with an expected graduation in December 2024. Her educational background includes a bachelor's degree in English and a master's degree in gender and development. In addition to her counseling role, she volunteers with REMAC Behavioral Services, where she supports individuals facing various challenges. Previously, while in Nigeria, Ugese led a team to launch an initiative delivering reproductive health information to high school girls. She attributes her professional approach to consistency, ongoing learning, and the example set by her mother.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Sandra
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my background and watching my mom put in so much more. I built my character from observation, learning, and being trained by someone who was an example based on what she did more than what she said. Also consistency and acquiring new knowledge, because my mom was always get knowledge, get knowledge, get knowledge.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice is that the work will keep the team together, but the network will open the doors. So network, network, and network. Also, challenge myself and welcome growth on new roles, when the new roles come around, growth is experiencing new roles.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
To stay consistent on the path of growth. Because success is not a destination but an ongoing process. I've had to learn from younger people. So, don't ever dismiss where knowledge can come from, come from the most unexpected places.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The challenges are that there are too many aspects of Maternal Child Health. I didn't expect that the umbrella would be so big. It is difficult to find an angle where you can make a really great impact. Everybody's moving a little needle but it's not really having the impact that affects maternal health mortality in general. Finding that angle where the impacts are sustainable.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The first on the list is integrity. Integrity matters a lot to me. I feel like it's something that doesn't just come on you, it's something you have to build every single day with every decision that you make. I value kindness a lot. I feel like it's the foundation of excellence.
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