The Indiana University Center for Global Health is reshaping how global health knowledge moves, not just from the United States outward, but back again. Known as reciprocal innovation, the approach centers on the idea that solutions developed in one setting can be adapted to improve health outcomes in another setting and create mutual benefit across diverse communities.
Now, Anjuli Shivshanker, MPH, is stepping into a key leadership role to help expand that vision.
Shivshanker has joined IUCGH as assistant director of reciprocal innovation, where she will help lead strategy, partnerships and day-to-day operations for a program designed to translate global health insights into impact across Indiana and international partner sites.
“Anjuli brings an exceptional ability to connect strategy, research and implementation across diverse settings,” said Laura Ruhl, MD, MPH, director of reciprocal innovation at IUCGH. “She understands how to take complex global health evidence and translate it into action that improves lives locally.”
Shivshanker has more than 15 years of experience in research, evaluation and grant-funded program leadership. Most recently, she served as senior director of monitoring, evaluation and learning at Sesame Workshop, where she led a $103 million global consortium spanning eight countries.
“I enjoy translating complicated and complex topics into tactics and strategy that anyone can understand,” Shivshanker said.
Her career has consistently focused on turning evidence into action. At Sesame Workshop, she oversaw a complex research portfolio that included randomized controlled trials, longitudinal studies and large-scale monitoring systems, while also helping develop practical tools used by practitioners worldwide. Earlier, as a senior research advisor with USAID, she guided education and workforce development efforts in conflict-affected countries.
“I pride myself on finding solutions that hit the sweet spot between scientific rigor and feasibility,” she said.
That balance will be central to her new role. As assistant director, Shivshanker will oversee program operations, support grant strategy and implementation, and help cultivate partnerships across Indiana and global sites. She will play a key role in advancing the Indiana APPlying global Lessons to advance health Equity in Indiana (APPLE-IN) program, which focuses on addressing health disparities through global-to-local learning.
The program is supported by a donation from Eli Lilly and Company Foundation (Lilly Foundation) to IU to build this initiative. The Lilly Foundation is a separate tax-exempt, private foundation established in 1968 and supported by donations from Eli Lilly and Company (Lilly), and supports philanthropic programs across health, equity, and education, to extend Lilly’s reach and impact in a charitable manner.
“Anjuli’s leadership will strengthen the partnerships that are at the heart of reciprocal innovation,” Dr. Ruhl said. “We’re excited about improving our community relationships and collaborative action with Anjuli on board.”
