Dr Matilda Kerry is a public health specialist with experience in clinical care, community programs, research, and implementation studies. Her interests, which began during her years as a beauty and cultural ambassador, were strengthened through medical school and advanced by her Master’s and residency training. Her research work, which has produced evidence for national and global application, won the 2020 National Public Health Fellowship Dissertation Prize. She expanded her leadership through the Mandela Washington Fellowship and later led state programs at the Clinton Health Access Initiative. As an autism mum and disability advocate, she has applied design thinking to guide inclusive education and play initiatives adopted in Nigeria.