Joan Sara Thomas has over 13 years of experience supporting global health system strengthening initiatives. She currently is the lead Project Officer at the University of Saskatchewan, where she manages implementation of the One Health Community Partnership Project focused on three countries in sub-Saharan Africa. She is also a mentor on the UN ESCAP’s CART Initiative which helps public health practitioners across the Asia-Pacific produce research outputs that inform public health policy.
Previously, Joan spent nine years with Vital Strategies, where she held both leadership and technical roles, including Director of Operations, Deputy Regional Director, Asia Pacific Hub and Regional Technical Advisor for CRVS Improvement. Joan enjoys working at the intersection of capacity-building, systems thinking, and inclusive leadership. She is increasingly interested in how AI risk-benefit assessments can guide the implementation of responsible solutions for global public health challenges. She holds a BA in International Development and Economics (McGill University) and an MPH in Public Health (Emory University). Joan lives with her family in Saskatoon, on Treaty 6 territory, homeland of the Cree, Dene, Dakota, Nakota, Saulteaux and Métis peoples, in the beautiful Canadian Prairies.