Shared Leadership, Shared Vision

At One Heart Worldwide, we believe that the way we lead should reflect the communities we serve. Our Co-CEO leadership model is a deliberate commitment to shared leadership that challenges traditional power dynamics in global health and development. By appointing both a Nepali public health leader and a female global health expert to lead side by side, we ensure that decision-making is inclusive, community-rooted, and informed by the lived realities of those most affected. 

Surya Bhatta, who grew up in a rural Nepali village and witnessed firsthand the challenges of poor maternal care, brings deep local knowledge, cultural fluency, and a trusted relationship with government and community leaders. Sibylle Kristensen, who was born and raised in the Democratic Republic of Congo, brings decades of global health experience and technical expertise in maternal and newborn health, as well as international partnerships. 

Together, Surya and Sibylle co-lead as equals, redefining what leadership looks like in the aid sector. Their approach has driven systemic impact in Nepal’s healthcare system, renovating over 800 birthing centers and training more than 20,000 healthcare workers, while modeling a scalable, sustainable solution for maternal and newborn health worldwide.