If you ever wished you could change the world, take inspiration from Sara Staats, an individual who is actually making a difference. Staats will talk about her life as a consultant on global healthcare initiatives for major non-governmental organizations (NGOs), including The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, on Monday, Oct. 27 at Fairfield University. In a talk entitled, "In/Outside the Corporate World: A Woman's View on Changing Global Demands," she also will elaborate on how being a woman at the top of her field has its advantages, and offer her perspective on the ever fine art of creating "an optimum balance" between work and life.

Sponsored by Fairfield University's Charles F. Dolan School of Business, the Center for Faith and Public Life, and Women's Studies, the free event will begin at 6 p.m., in the Dolan School of Business dining room.

Gita Rajan, professor of English, said that Staats' status in the corporate world is a testimony to the trail-blazing work that women do on a global stage. "As a faculty member associated with Women's Studies, it is a privilege to host her at Fairfield University, because I can see her inspiring young women in the Dolan School of Business. Equally important, because I know that she is a consultant for major NGOs on global health care, it is important for all Fairfield University students to learn how our Jesuit mission of social justice matches the demands of a changing world."

In her present role as project leader with The Boston Consulting Group, the Jesuit educated Staats, who earned a bachelor's degree in economics from Georgetown University, helps develop the Gates Foundation's model for engaging the private sector to meet global health needs. The Gates Foundation is one of the world's largest funders of global health initiatives.

One project Staats led has identified the global requirements necessary to combat malaria and led directly to the decision to make eradication the long-term goal of the Gates Foundation's malaria efforts.

This has transformed the malaria research community, dramatically changing the stakeholders' aspirations and activities, and brought enormous increased attention (and funding) to anti-malaria efforts.

Staats's work also has involved conducting an assessment of the market for public health pesticide products. This assessment necessitated executing research in seven developing countries, and engaging global suppliers and major funders.

In her talk, Staats will share her observations on how both women's issues and gender issues are dealt with in her work. Moreover, she will talk about how she has focused on global trends in providing strategies for global health challenges.

Her encompassing talk will include her reasons for pursuing an MBA from Harvard Business School, and the opportunities and excitement a Harvard education offered her.

Before joining The Boston Consulting Group in 2004, Staats was an associate in Equity Capital Markets with Banc of America Securities. In that role, she managed the origination and execution of IPOs, block trades and other equity solutions for companies in the financial services, industrial and media sectors. She worked for Banc of America as an analyst in Mergers & Acquisitions from 2000 to 2002.

Posted On: 10-15-2008 10:10 AM

Volume: 41 Number: 93