Karah Pedersen

About Karah Pedersen

Currently focused on navigating and charting mission-driven health and social impact programs through the current complex political and philanthropic environment, I am equally at home as a champion, strategist, and institution builder for health and social impact organizations. I bring decades of leadership in business development, program delivery, and organizational transformation—driving donor diversification and scaling high‑performance systems across complex, cross‑functional teams. A seasoned leader of national and global social impact initiatives, I excel at forging new lines of business and strategic partnerships with funders, governments, and local stakeholders to deliver sustained results. I currently lead the global health partnerships and growth strategies at Global Communities and recently reshaped IntraHealth\'s business development functions in support of a strategic merger with Global Communities. I also led Family Connect International’s national program and new partnerships that resulted in a 50% increase in annual contract revenue. I am described by my colleagues as: a curious and candid communicator, transformative leader, someone who fills the gaps, and works well in the grey zone - turning ambiguity into clarity. I also strive to ensure my work is done through mutual respect, fairness, transparency, and a good sense of humor.

Experience

1. Head of Global Health Partnerships

   Global Communities

   Apr 2025 — Present · US

   Lead donor cultivation and partnership development efforts to advance global health initiatives.• Oversee engagement strategies to drive impactful collaborations in the nonprofit sector, including expanding the programs and services of IntraHealth International, a nonprofit global health subsidiary of Global Communities.

Education

• The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

  Master of Public Health (MPH), Health Behavior and Health Education

  2005 — 2007

• University of North Carolina at Greensboro

  Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Sociology and International Studies

Skills

• Capacity Building
• International Development
• Program Evaluation
• Non-Profits
• Knowledge Management
• Adolescent Health
• Knowledge Transfer
• Training
• Communication
• Team Facilitation
• Strategic Communications
• Cross Functional Team Building
• Health Education
• Policy Analysis
• Community Outreach
• Qualitative Research
• Ngos
• Nonprofits
• Public Health
• Grant Writing
• Project Management
• Business Analysis
• Dissemination of Information
• Workshop Facilitation
• Presentations
• Global Health
• Program Development
• Data Analysis
• Technical Assistance
• Grants
• Fundraising
• Nonprofit Organizations
• Non-Governmental Organizations (Ngos)
• Facilitation
• Staff Supervision