For Capucine, consulting was never just a career path—it has been a lifelong pursuit of curiosity, problem-solving, and making meaningful impact. From an early stage in her career, she sought roles that would challenge her intellect and contribute to systemic change. Over the past twelve years, she has taken on many roles—researcher, policy strategist, and technical advisor—each one enhancing her expertise. “I have always been drawn to flexibility and intellectual stimulation. Consulting enables me to work on diverse projects, continually learning and being challenged.”
At Eureka, we celebrate the passionate individuals who drive our work forward and challenge themselves to grow. Today, we spotlight Capucine Pénicaud, a seasoned consultant whose career is defined by resilience, strategic thinking, and a passion for ethical global health solutions.
Capucine joined Eureka at a pivotal moment when the organization expanded its collaboration with WHO into hepatitis testing. An external partner recognized her expertise and strategic approach, making her a perfect fit to drive this new focus. With experience at institutions such as the University of Melbourne and the Hepatitis Fund, she brought valuable knowledge and insight to the team, playing a key role in strengthening Eureka’s impact in hepatitis diagnostics. Eureka’s collaborative and global approach aligned seamlessly with her values. “At Eureka, I collaborate with experts from various continents and backgrounds, fostering a richness that traditional consulting doesn’t always provide.”
Since then, she has been instrumental in broadening Eureka’s scope, particularly in hepatitis-focused work. A defining moment came when she led the hepatitis workstream of WHO long-term agreement on diagnostics and market analysis, marking the organization’s first engagement in this area. Under her leadership, Eureka contributed to strengthening diagnostic strategies by supporting evidence-based market analyses and informing policies that improve access to essential testing tools. “Eureka recognized my background in hepatitis and brought me in at a crucial time. That decision allowed us to contribute meaningfully to WHO’s integrated approach to STIs, HIV, and hepatitis.”
Beyond this, Capucine played a key role in supporting Eureka to implement a project with Africa CDC’s One Health initiative, leveraging her extensive network and cross-disciplinary expertise. Her contributions supported efforts to strengthen disease prevention and control strategies in resource-limited settings.
Global health consulting comes with challenges, and Capucine has encountered the tension between evidence-based priorities and donor-driven funding trends. “The global health agenda isn’t always guided by facts and justice; other priorities often influence funding decisions. You can present a strong case but may not receive support if it’s not aligned with donor interests or priority.” Despite these challenges, Capucine remains committed to ethics-driven work, ensuring that every project she leads upholds integrity and emphasizes what truly matters. “What matters most is the fairness of my work. If you support a cause through unfair means, you’re not genuinely serving that cause. It’s about doing the right thing, even when the system doesn’t always reward it.”
One of Capucine’s proudest moments at Eureka was coordinating a remote team of ten experts across multiple countries for the WHO project. “We were a completely new team, spread across different time zones, each with different areas of expertise. Despite the challenges, we produced a high-quality report, met every deadline, and delivered a strong presentation. Seeing individuals come together like that, taking full responsibility for their roles, was incredible.” This experience reaffirmed her belief that independent consultants can be among the most effective professionals in the field when granted the appropriate autonomy.
When she is not driving impactful solutions in global health, Capucine seeks adventure in the mountains. Skiing and mountaineering challenge her both physically and mentally. Her discipline in knowing when to push forward, when to pace herself, and how to support others mirrors her approach to her work, where resilience and strategic decision-making are paramount. She is also a dedicated yoga instructor, incorporating mindfulness techniques to remain grounded in high-pressure environments. This practice enables her to maintain focus, manage stress, and navigate complex projects with clarity and balance.
Through her work at Eureka, Capucine is redefining global health consulting by strengthening diagnostics, expanding market access, and advocating for more ethical funding structures. Her journey exemplifies Eureka’s commitment to fostering top-tier talent, embracing diversity, and driving lasting impact.
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Capucine’s ability to inspire team spirit and ensure the highest quality of work is truly remarkable. Her gracious leadership in coordinating diverse, globally dispersed teams demonstrates her talent for fostering collaboration, accountability, and excellence. Borrowing from EIC, bringing together experts from different time zones and disciplines, she creates an environment where every individual takes full responsibility for their role, leading to seamless execution and impactful results. Her commitment to ethical, evidence-based global health solutions, combined with her strategic approach, ensures that the work she leads is both high-quality and meaningful. A true testament to her dedication and leadership in global health consulting!