You Only Need to Ask
by Ashok Alexander, Founder-Director, The Antara Foundation
Formerly Country Director, Gates Foundation; Senior Partner, McKinsey
Twenty-four years ago, Ashok left a long career at McKinsey & Company, believing he had the answers to some of the world’s most complex social challenges, and soon learned how wrong he was.
Over the next two decades, Ashok had the privilege of working alongside two extraordinary communities of women: female sex workers across six states in India, and pregnant and lactating mothers in some of the most remote villages of northern India. These women—often among the poorest and most marginalized—became his greatest teachers.
This talk explores a powerful lesson learned the hard way: those who live with a problem every day understand its root causes better than any outside expert. And when given meaningful support, they are not only capable of designing solutions—they can implement them at scale, with speed and quality.
Drawing on lived experience, this session challenges traditional top-down public health approaches and makes the case for listening before leading.
In-person attendance is reserved for Columbia affiliates only. External guests are welcome to attend via Zoom by registering here.
