The Journey from Kinshasa to Global Impact
Growing up in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, Pierrette Kengela witnessed healthcare disparities and gender inequalities that would shape her lifelong mission. The sight of mothers struggling for basic medical care and girls being denied educational opportunities ignited a passion that would guide her remarkable career spanning over 40 countries in 20 years.
“From an early age, I saw mothers fighting for access to basic medical care, girls being told their education was less important than that of their brothers, and entire communities struggling with preventable diseases simply because healthcare was a privilege, not a right,” Kengela recalls.
At just 22, she became a nurse and volunteer, witnessing firsthand the devastating gaps in healthcare delivery. These early experiences propelled her to Cape Town to pursue advanced studies in public health, equipping herself with the knowledge to drive meaningful change.
Today, as the founder of JOY4ALL NGO and JOY4ALL Academy, author, executive life coach, and G100 Global Advisory Council Member for Healthcare, Wellness, Insurance & Risk, Kengela stands as one of the most influential voices in global health equity and women’s empowerment.
Building Bridges Between Policy and Grassroots Action
Kengela’s unique perspective comes from her extensive experience working in both conflict zones and developed nations. This diverse background has reinforced her conviction that global health and social justice are inextricably linked, requiring solutions that understand local contexts while maintaining a commitment to equity and human rights.
“True progress is achieved when communities are empowered to co-design solutions that reflect their unique realities,” she explains. “This ensures both ownership and long-term sustainability.”
A pivotal moment in her career occurred during a maternal health initiative in Eastern DRC. Despite well-intentioned efforts, maternal mortality rates remained alarmingly high due to the compounding effects of ongoing conflict. This realization prompted a fundamental shift in her approach, emphasizing community-driven interventions and culturally competent strategies.
This experience catalyzed her transition from frontline clinical work to strategic advisory roles, where she now bridges the critical gap between policy formulation and grassroots implementation. Her work ensures innovative health solutions are both contextually relevant and scalable.
Redefining Leadership Through an African Woman’s Lens
For Kengela, leadership transcends traditional definitions, especially as an African woman navigating the public health and humanitarian sectors.
“Leadership embodies the ability to inspire and mobilize others towards a shared vision of equitable health and social justice,” she states. “As an African woman in these sectors, it involves navigating and challenging systemic barriers while fostering inclusivity and collaboration.”
She emphasizes that effective leadership in driving social change requires resilience, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to justice. Leaders must possess the ability to listen deeply, engage diverse communities, and implement evidence-based solutions that prioritize inclusion and sustainability.
“The ability to build alliances across different fields—policy, technology, and grassroots activism—is crucial in ensuring long-term impact,” Kengela notes. “Effective leaders must also be willing to challenge societal norms and advocate for systemic change while uplifting those most affected by health disparities.”
Sustaining Resilience in Challenging Environments
Working in some of the world’s most challenging contexts requires exceptional resilience—a quality Kengela has cultivated throughout her career.
“Resilience is built on a combination of passion, purpose, and adaptability,” she reflects. “The work I do is driven by a deep sense of responsibility to the communities I serve.”
Kengela draws strength from tangible changes she witnesses, whether in policy shifts, improved service accessibility, or transformed individual lives. She also credits mentorship networks and collaboration with like-minded professionals for maintaining her motivation through difficult periods.
Balancing large-scale leadership responsibilities with community connectedness requires intentional effort. She prioritizes strong local partnerships and ensures community participation in every initiative, making regular field visits to stay attuned to evolving needs.
Transformative Initiatives: Creating Ripples of Change
When asked about her most impactful work, Kengela resists highlighting a single project. “Over the course of my career, I have been involved in more than 20 initiatives, each designed to address a specific challenge and achieve a distinct goal,” she explains.
Her initiatives have ranged from expanding access to sexual and reproductive health services in underserved areas to strengthening health systems through digital innovation. She has built maternity facilities, trained frontline health workers, and advocated for policy shifts that safeguard women’s rights.
“Each of these projects was impactful in its own way, not because of the scale but because of the lives changed and the barriers dismantled,” Kengela emphasizes. “Impact is not about one moment; it’s about the ripple effect of sustained efforts over time.”
Digital Health Revolution: Bridging Access Gaps
Looking toward the future, Kengela sees enormous potential in digital health solutions, particularly for underserved communities. Her recent work has highlighted the transformative power of AI-driven platforms, chatbot integrations, and self-testing solutions to improve healthcare accessibility.
“Digital health will continue to revolutionize healthcare, particularly for underserved communities,” she predicts. “Advancements in AI, blockchain for health data security, and mobile health applications will enable more people to access quality care conveniently.”
She points to a successful partnership she led that brought together tech companies, international public health institutions, and grassroots organizations to implement AI-driven, data-free chatbots and online platforms providing sexual and reproductive health information and real-time gender-based violence support for young people in West and Central Africa.
“Nowadays, many young people even in remote areas have access to a phone. Whether it belongs to them or a parent or sibling, a phone is a convenience compared to walking many miles to access a clinic,” Kengela explains.
However, she acknowledges significant barriers to implementing digital health solutions, including limited digital literacy, inadequate internet connectivity in remote areas, and data privacy concerns. Overcoming these challenges requires investing in digital health literacy programs, strengthening infrastructure, and implementing robust data protection regulations.
Empowering Youth as Catalysts for Change
Central to Kengela’s vision is the empowerment of young people, especially young women, as future leaders in public health and social justice.
“Youth bring innovation, fresh perspectives, and the energy needed to drive social change,” she asserts. “Investing in young leaders ensures that future policies and programs are dynamic and responsive to evolving public health challenges.”
This commitment led to the founding of JOY4ALL Academy, which provides self-development, career coaching, and mentorship opportunities. The academy embodies principles from her book, “Legacy Empowered,” emphasizing knowledge and skills transfer across generations as key factors in youth development.
“When young women are exposed to diverse positive leadership models and see others like them in leadership positions, they are more likely to aspire toward similar roles,” Kengela notes.
She advises young leaders to cultivate adaptability, problem-solving skills, and cross-disciplinary collaboration abilities. Strategic communication, community engagement, financial literacy, and digital competencies are equally essential for those aspiring to drive sustainable change.
Cross-Sector Collaboration: Multiplying Impact Through Partnership
Kengela’s experience across public and private sectors has reinforced her belief in the power of cross-sector partnerships to advance global health and gender equity.
“Cross-sector partnerships combine the strengths of each sector—government policies, nonprofit community engagement, and private-sector innovation—to create more holistic, scalable, and sustainable health interventions,” she explains.
She sees significant opportunity for private sector organizations to support health and gender equality initiatives beyond financial contributions, including providing technological expertise, workforce training, and digital platforms that expand healthcare accessibility.
Navigating Barriers as a Black Woman Leader
Throughout her career, Kengela has confronted formidable challenges, many stemming from entrenched biases against both her gender and race.
“As a Black woman, I have often had to navigate implicit biases, where my expertise is questioned more than that of my peers,” she reveals. “There is an expectation that you need to prove yourself constantly, regardless of your qualifications or experience.”
She describes the additional barriers Black women face in securing executive positions, funding, and institutional support, as racial and gender disparities continue to influence resource allocation and professional advancement opportunities.
“This is just the reality we live in and what we are striving to change for future generations,” Kengela acknowledges.
Her response to these challenges reflects her remarkable resilience and determination: “I overcame these challenges by owning my voice and standing firm in what I believed was right. Strategic collaboration, faith, resilience, excellence, and an unwavering commitment to change have been my greatest strengths.”
Perhaps most tellingly, she adds: “I demanded a seat at the table and when that was denied, I built my own.”
Policy Priorities for a More Equitable Future
Looking toward 2025, Kengela identifies several key policy areas requiring urgent attention to advance gender equality and public health.
She advocates for contextualising and expanding comprehensive sexuality education, increasing investment in gender-based violence response and prevention, and strengthening policies that protect reproductive rights of vulnarable populations. Additionally, she emphasizes the importance of gender-responsive budgeting in public health financing and ensuring gender parity in decision-making spaces.
“Women’s leadership in health is more than an issue of equity,” Kengela asserts. “It is the missing link that will help the world close the gap to effectively address public health issues and achieve better health outcomes.”
She points to research showing that women deliver most unpaid care and domestic work in families and communities and make most health purchasing decisions globally. Their perspectives and lived experiences are therefore essential in shaping effective health systems and policies.
Legacy of Purpose: Maintaining Vision Through Challenges
For Kengela, maintaining resilience through setbacks connects directly to her sense of purpose.
“Let me say that for some people this is just a profession, but for me, this is my passion, my mission and life purpose in this world,” she shares. This deep connection to purpose, along with her faith, family support, and the communities she serves, provides the foundation for her continued perseverance.
Her advice to aspiring leaders reflects this purpose-driven approach: “Believe in the power of your voice and your ability to effect change. Leadership is not about titles; it is about impact.”
She encourages young women to develop resilience, embrace continuous learning, seek mentorship, build strong networks, and challenge the status quo with bold ideas. Above all, she emphasizes leading with empathy, authenticity, and unwavering commitment to the communities they serve.
Forging a Sustainable Future
As Pierrette Kengela continues her groundbreaking work at the intersection of global health, gender empowerment, and social justice, her impact extends far beyond individual programs or policies. She represents a new paradigm of leadership—one that bridges policy expertise with grassroots understanding, technological innovation with cultural sensitivity, and global vision with local ownership.
Her journey from witnessing healthcare inequities in Kinshasa to shaping international health initiatives demonstrates the transformative power of purpose-driven leadership. Through JOY4ALL NGO, JOY4ALL Academy, and her advocacy work, Kengela is not only addressing immediate health needs but building sustainable frameworks for long-term change.
“Every initiative is a piece of a larger puzzle,” she reminds us, “collectively shaping systems, empowering communities, and driving meaningful change.” In a world facing complex health challenges and persistent gender inequalities, leaders like Pierrette Kengela offer both practical solutions and inspirational vision—forging pathways toward a more equitable, inclusive, and healthy global future.