WHO WE ARE
Led by those closest to the work
Driven by a fundamental belief in health as a human right, our teams work in solidarity with the communities we serve to innovate and implement systems that are built to last.
OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLE
“Ny fahasalamana no voalohan-karena”
“Health is the first wealth”
– Malagasy proverb
At Pivot, we believe health is the foundation upon which opportunity, dignity, and prosperity are built. This principle underpins our core organizational values, guiding how we partner with communities and government to strengthen health systems for the long term.
OUR CORE VALUES
Health as a human right
Every person deserves access to high-quality care, regardless of complexity, disease burden, or social and geographic barriers.
Solidarity
We work closely with the communities we serve and the MoPH to ensure a patient-centered approach to achieve shared health objectives.
Humility
We know we don’t have all the answers – continuous learning through data as well as patient and partner feedback are crucial to refining our strategy.
Curiosity
Scientific inquiry is innate to our culture – we ask questions to continuously deepen our understanding of health determinants and improve our interventions.
Bias toward action
We take every opportunity we can to save lives, implementing solutions that serve the needs of now while strengthening systems for the future.
Sustainability
Our program models are built for continuity, focusing on systems strengthening, clear transition plans, and long-term government ownership.
Accountability
We maintain transparent operations for our partners and funders, ensuring we remain aligned in prioritizing the health needs of those we serve.
Embracing complexity
We don’t shy away from the seemingly intractable; we tackle health challenges with integrated data systems and transformative science.
MEET THE TEAM
Expertise rooted in community
We prioritize proximate leadership and community-informed design.
Pivot’s strategy is deeply informed by the priorities of the Malagasy government, co-designed in collaboration with the communities we serve. Our team and Board comprise a network of diverse expertise across disciplines, and foster an enabling environment for innovative solutions to complex problems.
Dr. Andritiana Tsirinomen’ny Aina Gella, MD
Mananjary District Coordinator
Dr. Aina began with Pivot in 2016 as an attending doctor at Ifanadiana District Hospital after moving from private practice in Antananarivo. His compassionate clinical philosophy is now guiding the Mananjary District team in the implementation of Pivot’s model in a new geography.
Ando Randrianandrasana RN, MBA
Director of Partnerships & Government Relations
Ando is a nurse and MBA-trained health systems specialist with experience at Pivot, Médecins du Monde, and as a consultant. She brings strengths in governance, emergency response, and partnership development, guiding stakeholder engagement and government collaboration with warmth and expertise.
Anita Amin Mohamed, MA
DIRECTOR OF HEALTH SYSTEMS STRENGTHENING
With over 30 years of experience in global health, Anita brings deep expertise in health financing, having held leadership roles in national UHC initiatives. Anita is dedicated to building the governance structures required to move the needle on health equity in Madagascar, ensuring that the government is equipped to sustain high-quality care long term.
Bénédicte Razafinjato, MSc
Director of MONITORING & EVALUATION
Bénédicte is a seasoned M&E professional who helped build Pivot’s data systems from the beginning. She leads evaluation, routine data collection, and e-health initiatives with strong analytical skill and research experience, including work on malnutrition and health outcomes in Ifanadiana.
Charlotte Fraiberg, MSc
Chief Financial Officer
Charlotte is a nonprofit finance leader and former investment banker who brings expertise in financial strategy, governance, and organizational health. With management and mathematics training and extensive board experience, she guides Pivot’s financial stewardship and executive leadership with thoughtful direction.
Eliane Solo Hery, MSc
Director of HR & Administration
Eliane is a foundational member of Pivot who helped build its operations from the ground up. With business management training and private-sector experience, she leads finance, HR, IT, and general services with a holistic, people-centered approach that strengthens organizational wellbeing.
Irène Rasoarimanana
Director of Operations
Irène is an operations leader with over 20 years of experience in finance, procurement, HR, and resource management. Drawing from extensive work in Madagascar’s financial sector, she develops policies and systems that strengthen organizational efficiency, consistency, and operational excellence.
Dr. Jackia Velontafa, MPH
DIRECTOR OF HEALTH PROGRAMS
Dr. Jackia is a public health physician with over a decade of experience navigating the complexities of Madagascar’s health system. Bringing years of experience leading district health operations and clinical strategic planning, she specializes in using data to inform actionable community-level interventions.
Karen Finnegan, PhD, MPH
Managing Director of Pivot Science
Karen is a research leader who oversees Pivot’s scientific agenda and supports a multidisciplinary team. With a Johns Hopkins PhD focused on health systems financing and UHC, she strengthens the evidence behind Pivot’s impact and advances learning across the organization.
Laura Cordier, MSc
Executive Director
Laura is a founding team member who built Pivot’s M&E department and later served as National Director. With experience spanning DFID and international research institutions, she brings expertise in health systems strengthening and organizational leadership. She now stewards Pivot’s mission with clarity, collaboration, and deep institutional knowledge.
Luc Rakotonirina, MSc
Deputy National Director
Luc, one of Pivot’s earliest hires, started as an ambulance nurse and has grown into a respected leader of our referral team, community health program, and clinical interventions. In addition to overseeing major clinical programs, he contributes essential strategic insight and serves as a key representative of and long-time culture carrier within Pivot.
Madeleine Beebe, RN, MPH
Director of Development
Madeleine is a global health nurse with over 15 years of experience in community health, research, and clinical care. She spent eight years in Mali strengthening community health systems and later served vulnerable populations in DC. She now leads Pivot’s development efforts with deep commitment and field insight.
Dr. Mbolatiana Raza-Fanomezanjanahary, MD
Nosy Varika District Coordinator
Dr. Mbola began her career in the public health system as a primary care physician and the sole doctor heading a remote health center. She joined Pivot in 2020 as the Deputy Director of Primary Care, and since 2024 as been applying her vast experience to lead Pivot’s first expansion outside of Ifanadiana.
Sarah-Anne Barriault, MPH
National Director
Sarah-Anne is a former human rights lawyer turned public health leader with long-standing ties to Pivot’s earliest work. After contributing to UNICEF and Canadian organizations, she returned to Madagascar to support UHC and health financing. She now guides Pivot’s national strategy with vision and heart.
Dr. Vero Irina Ramanandraitsiory, MD
Ifanadiana District Coordinator
Dr. Vero is a physician specializing in pediatrics and severe childhood malnutrition. She joined Pivot in 2016 as an attending doctor and has been instrumental in standardizing clinical protocols to continually improve service quality. Today Dr. Vero oversees implementation in Pivot’s flagship district.
CO-FOUNDERS
Matt Bonds, PhD
Scientific Advisor
Jim Herrnstein, PhD
Science Committee Chair
Robin Herrnstein, PhD
Board Chair
Michael Rich, MD, MPH
Clinical Advisor
MEMBERS
Benjamin Andriamihaja, PhD
Bob Hower, MBA
Governance Committee Chair
Lara Hall, MD
Ed Norton, JD
Development Committee Chair
Emma Uwodukunda, RN, MSN
Fara Rabemananjara, MSW
Luc Samison, MD
Steering Committee Chair
Mark Krasnow, MD, PhD
Patricia Wright, PhD
Sara Johnson, MA
Stephen Della Pietra, PhD
Tahiry Raveloson, MD
Clinical Committee Chair
Tyler Saltiel, MBA, CPA
Finance Committee Chair
Vincent Della Pietra, PhD
Dr. Paul Farmer
In memoriam
The power behind the mission
Pivot’s strength comes from the hundreds of individuals committed to making this work possible every day.
With headquarters in Ifanadiana, in Madagascar’s Vatovavy Region, Pivot employs over 300 people, 98% of whom are based in Madagascar.
Behind every patient visit, ambulance referral, supply delivery, research study, and health system improvement is a diverse team working together to advance a simple but powerful belief: healthcare is a human right.
OUR ANTHEM
Together, we can solve it here.
A glimpse of the region we call home, its singular landscapes, and the communities that inspire our work every day.
