As a senior engagement lead at Kinaura Partners, Saran brings deep expertise in health systems strengthening, development assistance mechanisms, and partner alignment. Within the Africa team, she provides technical and operational guidance to facilitate learning, shape strategic direction, and support high‑impact execution across a diverse portfolio of investments.
With more than 15 years of experience in health systems design and implementation, Saran offers leadership across areas such as health financing, service delivery improvement, institutional capacity building, and pharmaceutical and supply chain management. She supports partners including the Gates Foundation by applying her technical skill and strong coordination abilities to advance effective outcomes.
Previously, Saran served as a senior program officer at the Gates Foundation, where she developed operational strategies and managed grants in health financing, pharmaceutical commodities management, and institutional governance strengthening in Ethiopia. She has also worked with multiple implementing agencies, overseeing programs in human resources for health, clinical quality improvement, and hospital operations across Africa.
Saran holds a BA in economics from Trinity Washington University, an MA in applied economics from Johns Hopkins University, and an MPH from Yale University. She has lived in Ethiopia and Zambia, worked extensively across East and Southern Africa, and currently resides in the United States.
Outside of work, Saran enjoys playing tennis.
