Nairobi, September 2, 2024
Francis Meyo has today stepped in as Busara’s new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), following his appointment in July this year.
“Today marks a humbling milestone in my journey with Busara,” said Francis.
“Since February, the Busara board engaged over 50 exceptional candidates from across the globe – leading experts from the fields of behavioral science, development, consulting, and government. A long list of candidates was then interviewed by members of the Executive Team, but one candidate stood out: Francis Meyo, who displayed a deep understanding of the work we do, an outstanding commitment to the mission of the organization, and a clear vision for how to chart Busara forward into our next chapter,” said James Vancel, former CEO and current Busara board Chair.
Francis takes over from Samantha Bastian, who has been serving as the interim CEO following the departure of Chaning Jang in May.
“I’m really excited to finish the interim role and partner with Francis in my capacity as COO,” said Samantha, who will now focus on a set of expanded responsibilities as internal lead and Busara’s Chief Operating Officer.
Having graduated in economics and political science from Vassar College, NY, USA, Francis joined Busara in 2016 as an Engagement Director and has been a key figure in shaping the organization’s strategic direction.
“Leadership transitions are often described as passing the torch, but I see it as more than that. It’s about adding fuel to the flame, making the light brighter, and lighting up new paths for us to explore,” Francis observed.
Before his CEO appointment, he led Busara’s health portfolio, where he focused on projects across sexual and reproductive health, digital health platforms, and innovative demand-creation strategies. His expertise in behavioral science consulting has been instrumental in driving the adoption of biomedical products like the dapivirine ring (DVR). Beyond health, he has also contributed significantly to Busara’s work in inclusive finance and food security.
“We have built something remarkable over the past decade. Now it is time to build on that foundation and push forward into new directions,” Francis remarked.