Dr. Esther Njoroge-Muriithi, who joined Fistula Foundation as chief growth officer for Africa in 2023, now serves as chief program officer. In her role at the Foundation, Esther oversees the Foundation’s programs in more than 30 countries across Africa and Asia. Previously, she led the expansion of treatment programs across the continent of Africa. Esther is based in Nairobi, Kenya.
Esther has more than 15 years of experience in global health programming, with a focus on strategy development and execution, program expansion, advocacy, and nonprofit governance. Before joining the Foundation, Esther served as senior vice president of global medical programs at Smile Train. In that role, she spearheaded the strategic direction and implementation of quality, safety, education, training, and capacity building of cleft lip and palate treatment programs across 70 countries. She has deep experience in strengthening health systems and in forging partnerships with national, regional, and global stakeholders from governments, civil society organizations, private sector partners, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and donors.
In 2016, Esther was named one of the Top 40 Under 40 Women in Kenya by Business Daily. She also received the Foundation Director of the Year Award at the Rotary Sam Awori Awards for 2020–2021. Esther serves as the chair of the board at Garden of Hope Foundation and on the General Assembly of DSW Kenya. Previously she served on the boards of Rotary Club of Nairobi-Lang’ata, Zaza Divas International and the Health NGOs Network (HENNET). She has also served on the G4 Alliance Permanent Council and the civil society engagement mechanism for UHC2030 (CSEM) Advisory Group.
Esther holds a degree in medicine from the University of Nairobi, as well as a master of public health degree from Moi University, and a public leadership credential from Harvard Kennedy School of Government. She is passionate about children’s and women’s health and empowerment, and in her free time she enjoys mentoring young men and women, performing community service, and spending time with her husband and three children.