“When Maria laces up her running shoes and sets off into the mountains near her home in Italy, the world slows down. Running is more than exercise for her, it’s a way to clear her mind and make space for the stories and lessons she’s carried across two decades in global health”.

Maria’s journey began with a degree in mathematics in Italy, but her curiosity soon pulled her toward epidemiology. That path led her across continents and into the heart of some of the world’s most urgent health challenges. She investigated cholera outbreaks in remote communities, designed programs to combat TB and HIV, and worked on malaria and kala-azar. Along the way, she witnessed how health crises are never just medical—they are profoundly social, shaped by economics, culture, and systems.

During her years with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), Maria combined her epidemiological expertise with program design and outbreak response, adapting solutions to complex and diverse contexts. She came to value not only technical rigour but also the ability to listen, adjust, and work with communities.

After nearly 20 years abroad, Maria returned to Italy in 2022. Consulting allowed her to stay close to family while continuing to make a global impact. She soon found a professional home at Eureka Idea Co. (EIC). “As a consultant, you often work alone, but with EIC, I found a team that brainstorms together, challenges each other, and shares ideas. That dynamic is very valuable to me.”

One of Maria’s first projects with EIC was a market assessment of TB diagnostic tools, conducted in partnership with FIND. For Maria, TB is not just another disease area—it is a cause she has long been passionate about, having spent years addressing it in complex and resource-limited settings. What made this project stand out, however, was not just the topic but the new skills it demanded. Market assessments were unfamiliar territory, but Maria saw it as an opportunity to challenge herself.

“I found it incredibly interesting to challenge myself with something I had never done before. The team’s support made it possible, and I realised how much I could still learn at this stage of my career.”

This willingness to stretch beyond her comfort zone is a theme in Maria’s consulting journey. Moving from structured NGO roles to the fluid pace of consulting has taught her to embrace uncertainty and trust her experience to carry across diverse projects.

Her adaptability has already had a significant impact. On EIC’s Willingness-to-Pay project, Maria played a pivotal role in supporting a new country partner team, reviewing technical content, guiding data collection, and ensuring quality outputs. More importantly, she helped bridge cultural differences, finding ways to adjust communication and collaboration to local realities. “Sometimes, the regular way of working doesn’t fit. You have to find alternative solutions and keep an open mind.” Maria’s ability to connect across cultures has expanded EIC’s global footprint while strengthening relationships in new regions.

Outside of work, Maria is equally committed. She’s a mother of two and an athlete who finds clarity in motion—running, tennis, padel, and yoga. For her, sport is essential to balance and resilience. “Running especially allows me to clear my mind. Without that release, my work would be compromised. I need my mind to run free, and sports gives me that.” Her endurance on the trails mirrors the persistence she brings to her work: steady, focused, and open to discovery.

 

Maria is one of many remarkable voices in Eureka Idea Co.—a global community of thinkers, doers, and innovators driving change in health and beyond. Want to hear more stories like hers or collaborate with others transforming global health? Explore our member spotlights or chat with one of our members today by visiting our member spotlight page.