Senior Technical Advisor, Nutrition & Implementation Science

Leila Katirayi, Ph.D., M.S.

Leila Katirayi, Ph.D., is a Senior Technical Advisor, Nutrition & Implementation Science. She has over 15 years of experience designing and implementing public health evaluations, primarily in maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH). Dr. Katirayi has also worked in health system strengthening, reproductive health, social behavior change, family health and engaging men in the health care system. Prior to joining Vitamin Angels, Dr. Katirayi spent almost 14 years at the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF), applying operations research to evaluate MNCH programs in sub-Saharan Africa. Formative data were collected to shape the design and implementation of programs, midline data were collected to course correct ongoing projects and endline data were collected to assess the impact. Dr. Katirayi has significant experience leading acceptability and feasibility studies, strengthening field capacity, leading technical training workshops and publishing in peer-reviewed journals. Her previous position at EGPAF also involved mentoring graduate students on qualitative analysis and technical writing. She is also an avid scuba diver that has traveled the world in pursuit of amazing new dive spots!