As a partner in the banking and capital markets practice at EY (formerly known as Ernst & Young) Bushra Sayed-Ganguly advises global corporations on tax planning, transactions and organizational changes. She applies those same skills to help the global public health community as a board member of The Task Force for Global Health.
Sayed-Ganguly is also a Certified Public Accountant licensed in the states of Delaware, New York and California. She received a B.A. in Accounting from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, New Jersey.
We took a moment to catch up with Sayed-Ganguly on what she wants to accomplish as a Task Force Board Member:
How did you learn about The Task Force and why did you want to get involved with the organization?
I learned about The Task Force through a friend who was already involved with the organization. During the pandemic when there was a lot of uncertainty regarding public health outcomes, it was great to connect with an organization that has partnered with drug donors to prevent, control and eliminate diseases throughout the world for decades. That an organization its size could not only build the systems necessary to protect populations from health threats but also empower the local networks needed to ensure that medicines, supplies and support reach communities around the world is a testament to the talented, committed and innovative leadership team and staff.
What aspects of The Task Force’s work do you find particularly interesting?
The Task Force’s commitment to creating a healthier world for everyone is remarkably broad, powerful and selfless. We talk about this in board meetings, that sometimes a reduction in funding for a program is actually a reason to celebrate progress against a disease because the need for that particular drug has been reduced. I love the idea that by working to eradicate a disease the Task Force is ultimately reducing its own involvement and does so intentionally and with care.
What do you hope to accomplish as a member of The Task Force for Global Health Board and what opportunities do you see for the Board to support our work?
I hope to help support meaningful and lasting improvements in global health. Because of the respect that the Task Force garners in this space, the Board can catalyze a platform for collaboration and communication between public health stakeholders, allowing for the sharing of ideas, resources and best practices. I believe that the Board can help raise awareness of global health issues and that of the work of the Task Force, encouraging more people to become involved in the cause. This is particularly important in the post-pandemic era where the role of civil society in reimagining public health response is critical, and poorly fulfilled even in the U.S. after more than a decade of public health disinvestment and complacency. Pockets of resurgence in measles, mumps and polio are good reminders of the need for and importance of trusted public health actors and norms, principles that the Task Force exemplifies.
What particular skills or experience do you bring to the Board that inform the ways you think about and contribute to our work?
I bring two decades of experience in the areas of business management, financial analysis and strategic planning. I have a strong understanding of the importance of sound financial management and an eye for identifying opportunities for growth, efficiencies and process improvement. Outside of my professional life I live in East Harlem, New York, and have enduring commitments to food security, elder care and community organizing in under-resourced communities where small, thoughtful public health interventions can yield the biggest dividends in health, safety and happiness.
