I specialize in solving complex problems. From an early age, I thrived in complexity — the more complex the problem the better. I could always see clearly how all the pieces fit together.
By training, I am an infectious disease epidemiologist and modeller. I have spent nearly two decades working on solving some of the world's most complex problems — in some of the most complex places. I have shaped national-level policy and action in countries such as Pakistan and Afghanistan, and global policy and strategy at the World Health Organization (WHO). I hold a PhD in infectious disease epidemiology from Imperial College London, with a focus on modelling transmission dynamics of poliovirus in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Most recently, I evaluated the global OPV2 withdrawal. In Pakistan, I served as Coordinator for Risk Assessment and Decision Support to the National Emergency Operations Centre, advising the government on polio eradication, as well as coordinated with the Health Sector Reform Unit to facilitate improvements and increased utilisation of public health services. I also lived in Jordan where I worked with the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean Region, advising on the risk of cVDPV2 outbreaks and optimal strategies (particularly focused on Yemen, Somalia, Sudan, Egypt, and Palestine). Prior to that, I worked with the Research and Product Development team at WHO in Geneva, mostly on clinical trials and seroprevalence surveys, as well as technical and strategic support on outbreaks globally.
Hi, I'm NATALIA MOLODECKY, PhD
I have worked and advised at all levels of decision-making and implementation — from field, to national, regional, and global-levels. Worked at the level of policy, strategy, and implementation. I have a strong technical background and many years at the policy level, but also considerable time spent in the field and in communities. I bridge the rigour of my academic and policy background, with the practical application at the operational level in the field and community, enabling me to create strategies that can be successfully implemented.
Finally, I grew up at the intersection of art and analytical thinking. While I made the choice to go into a highly analytical field, it seemed that whatever I did, the creative side of me would seep through. At the time, I didn't see a place for it in my highly analytical world — thinking I needed to choose one of the other. I spent my life being pulled in these two directions—one analytical, and the other creative. You may say that I’ve been searching for a balance between these my entire life. I thought I needed to choose one or the other.
But it turns out that I much prefer to live as the bridge between worlds — complex and simple, academic/policy and field implementation, analytical and creative.
What sets me apart:
Recently, I evaluated the global withdrawal of OPV2, one of the largest global public health interventions in history, impacting more than 155 countries. The evaluation resulted in more stringent criteria for future withdrawal efforts.
Since this evaluation, I have co-founded an evaluation firm called Global Health Evaluations (GHE) that conducts high impact evaluations of global health programmes and initiatives in complex settings.
I wrote a book on Understanding Polio Fundamentals, aimed at turning the complex technical principles that drive the largest public health initiative, into simple and easy to understand information, with the intention to empower the true heroes of this global effort — those working in the field — with the knowledge and information not easily accessible to them.
I have also developed a simple, easy to apply framework for solving complex problems, that turns noise into clarity, and complexity into simplicity. It is called the CTOS Framework and Book, and is linked with the firm I've established called CTOS (Complexity to Simplicity), to empower people to solve the complex problems in their work and lives.
While based in Pakistan, I created a social enterprise called PAKPANI focusing on bringing access of clean drinking water to under-served communities using a sustainable and accountable framework, that supports long-term solutions to Pakistan's water crisis, female employment and economic growth.
Some of my key projects:
What I do:
Evaluate global health programmes through Global Health Evaluations (GHE).
Empower people to solve complex problems in their work and lives, through CTOS (Complexity to Simplicity). Certify Master Trainers on the CTOS Framework for complex problem solving.
Translate the technical fundamental of polio into a simple easy to understand way that is accessible to all, through Understanding Polio Fundamentals.
Support community access to clean drinking water using a sustainable, community focused framework, through PAKPANI.
Provide technical and strategic consulting on global health programmes, polio eradication, and complex problem solving.
Speak on topics related to: complex problem solving, global health programmes, community access to basic fundamental needs, creation of social enterprises, and polio eradication.
Things I believe to be true:
Smart simple solutions are always better than complicated ones. While innovation has a role to play, often it is the simplest solutions based on a smart holistic strategy that has the greatest impact.
It is possible to develop strategies that maximize benefit to all stakeholders, including communities. The community perspective is often missing from the table, and only by raising this voice are strategies implemented effectively and with long term success.
Business can serve the needs of community, while also maximizing profits. Both are not mutually exclusive. Business can be an incredible tool to help communities improve their quality of life, and enable them to share their gifts with the world.
Everyone, everywhere simply wants to be seen, heard and valued. When you give people these three basic things, magic happens!
info@nataliamolodecky.com
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