“I have seen effective leadership come from many places and at many levels, often independent of title, tenure, or position.”
Growing up in Brazil, Adriana Lacerda witnessed something that would stay with her for the rest of her life. Children and families around her were losing their lives to preventable illnesses — malnutrition, dehydration, dysentery — conditions that could have been addressed with the most basic interventions. What she remembers most vividly isn’t only the suffering, it’s the response.
Community leaders without formal health training mobilized families around a simple, accessible solution: soro caseiro — a homemade oral rehydration solution made from water, salt, and sugar. Collective action, rooted in local leadership and shared ancestral knowledge, saved countless lives.
“That experience shaped my understanding of global health equity,” Adriana reflects. “It showed me that meaningful progress does not rely solely on advanced technology or formal systems, but on trusted local leadership, shared knowledge, and the ability to mobilize people around practical solutions.”
That conviction has guided a career spanning global health, education, and environmental conservation. Today, Adriana serves as Vice President of Operations at Ocean Conservancy and as one of Global Health Corps’ newest board members.
Her path to this work began with the belief that health is a fundamental human right, not a privilege. “The gap between what should be true and what people actually experience has consistently shaped my commitment to equity and social justice,” she says. Across sectors and geographies, she has seen how sustained investments in systems, infrastructure, and people can improve daily life and long-term outcomes for communities.
Over the course of her career, Adriana’s understanding of leadership has shifted. Early on, she associated it with formal authority and experience. Over the years, the people she worked alongside changed that.
“I have seen effective leadership come from many places and at many levels, often independent of title, tenure, or position,” she says. “What distinguishes strong leaders is a clear sense of purpose, accountability for outcomes, and a commitment to supporting others in pursuit of shared goals.” At its best, she believes, leadership opens paths, creates clarity, and enables people to do their best, especially while navigating complex or uncertain conditions.
Though she is still early in her involvement with GHC, what has already stood out to Adriana is the depth of commitment and seriousness of purpose she sees in the organization’s leadership. “The way GHC leaders engage thoughtfully across sectors, geographies, and lived experience reflects the kind of collaborative, movement-oriented approach that is essential to advancing global health equity,” she says. She sees her board membership as the beginning of a relationship grounded in listening, contribution, and stewardship.
Her advice to rising health leaders? “Believe in yourself, and in the capacity for kindness and integrity in others. Lead by example, especially when it is difficult, and be the person who consistently does the right thing.”
Now, Adriana Lacerda will bring that advice to life at GHC. And with it, a lifetime of evidence that the right leaders, given the right support, can change the course of entire communities.