Soe Soe Aye Htun

My success is grounded in a commitment to collaboration, adaptability, and evidence-based practice across diverse and challenging environments. Throughout my career, I have consistently sought out opportunities to work alongside partners from various backgrounds—whether leading multi-partner health consortiums in conflict-affected settings, supporting national program scale-up, or contributing to policy advocacy in the United States.

I attribute my achievements to the ability to remain resilient and solution-oriented in the face of adversity, such as navigating complex emergencies and responding to shifting political landscapes. My dedication to continuous learning—pursuing advanced degrees, engaging with leading academic institutions, and staying active in professional networks—has also been crucial.

Equally important, I am driven by a belief in the power of data and research to inform sound policy and improve health outcomes. This mindset, combined with a culturally responsive and inclusive approach, has enabled me to mentor others, foster strong partnerships, and make a tangible impact at local, national, and global levels.

The most powerful career advice I’ve received wasn’t a single moment—it was a shift in mindset.

Guided by mentors, professors, and advisors who saw potential in me before I fully saw it in myself, I learned not to follow predefined paths, but to look for the intersections—where my academic curiosity, professional experience, and desire to make an impact come together. They encouraged me to move beyond convention and intentionally shape a path that feels true to who I am.

That perspective changed how I define success. It’s not about collecting credentials or fitting into existing roles—it’s about aligning your work with your purpose in a way that feels genuine and meaningful. When you do that, your contributions naturally carry more weight.

In the end, their advice stayed with me in a simple but powerful way: follow your heart, stay focused, and grow into the person you aspire to become—not just professionally, but personally.

Based on the current reality—where many public health professionals are facing job loss and the market has become increasingly competitive—my advice to young women is simple: "don’t give up".

This phase can feel uncertain, but it’s also an opportunity to be intentional. Seek out resources that can guide you toward your goals and actively build meaningful connections. I encourage getting involved in professional associations and networks in public health or related fields—through committees, working groups, or volunteer roles. These spaces bring together people from diverse academic and professional backgrounds, and they can open doors, broaden your perspective, and create opportunities you may not expect. From my own experience, this kind of engagement is incredibly valuable and can have a lasting impact on your career. At the same time, continue investing in yourself. Use this period to strengthen your skills, deepen your knowledge, and stay prepared, so that when an opportunity arises, you can step forward with confidence as a strong candidate. Finally, don’t hesitate to ask for help. Many young professionals feel they need to navigate everything on their own, but growth often happens faster when you seek advice and learn from others. Many people are willing to support, mentor, and share their experiences—don’t be afraid to reach out

This country offers many opportunities, but it also requires persistence and courage.  

Build your network with purpose, keep growing, and remember—you are not alone on this journey, and there are always people and opportunities ready to support you along the way.

One of the most significant challenges in my career arose during my time at Population Services International in Myanmar, where I led a Universal Health Care and Strategic Purchasing pilot project. The program achieved strong results in Yangon and Chin State, and we planned to scale it nationally based on our success. However, everything changed with the military coup in February 2021. The shift in political priorities meant that expanding healthcare access was no longer a focus. Programs were halted, and the progress my team and I had worked so hard to achieve was abruptly set aside. It was deeply disappointing to see impactful work—designed to improve people’s lives—come to a standstill.

That experience became a turning point for me. It led me to reflect on where and how I could make the most meaningful impact. I decided to pursue further studies in the United States, where I believed I could engage more directly with systems that prioritize evidence-based policymaking and have stronger mechanisms for translating research and advocacy into real-world outcomes.

Transitioning to the U.S. has been both exciting and challenging. As a doctoral student and through my involvement in policy and advocacy work, I am learning to navigate a very different health system—one that involves understanding legislative processes, policy development, and the broader political and economic context. It’s a steep learning curve, but one that I find incredibly engaging and motivating.

My academic work now focuses on the economic value of immunization and health system investment. In particular, my doctoral research examines the economic benefits of childhood immunization programs in the post-COVID era—an area critical to informing policy decisions at both state and federal levels.

While my journey has required adapting to new contexts, my core purpose remains the same: to contribute to stronger, more equitable health systems and to ensure that evidence can drive meaningful and lasting change.

For me, the values that matter most are "purpose, resilience, integrity, and compassion"— and they’ve been shaped by both my personal journey and my professional experiences.

Purpose has always been at the center of everything I do. I didn’t choose public health just as a career—I chose it because I wanted my work to make a real difference in people’s lives, especially for those who are often overlooked. That sense of purpose has guided me through both achievements and difficult moments.

Resilience became especially important during times of uncertainty and disruption. I’ve experienced situations where years of hard work were suddenly halted by forces beyond my control. Those moments were challenging, but they also taught me how to adapt, stay grounded, and keep moving forward even when the path is unclear.

Integrity is something I hold onto no matter the circumstances. Whether working with partners, communities, or colleagues, I believe in being honest, accountable, and staying true to my values—even when it’s not the easiest choice.

And compassion is what keeps my work human. Behind every program, every policy, and every dataset are real people and real stories. Remembering that helps me lead with empathy and stay connected to why this work truly matters.

Together, these values remind me not only how to act, but who I want to be—both as a professional and as a person.