Wellcome appoints Natasha Sunderji as Chief Strategy Officer

Natasha has spent more than 20 years working at the intersection of science, strategy and systems transformation. She has partnered with nonprofits, foundations, governments, multilaterals and the private sector to address some of the world’s most complex and urgent health challenges.

She joins Wellcome from Accenture, where she led the Global Health and Nutrition practice. In this role, she guided organisations to make clear strategic choices, align resources with priorities, and deliver impact at scale across diverse geographies. Her work has focused not only on what institutions do, but also how they work. She has supported organisations in navigating complexity, building effective partnerships, and translating ambition into measurable outcomes.

Natasha began her career in the pharmaceutical industry, working across manufacturing, research and development. She holds an MA in public policy from the Harvard Kennedy School and a BASc in biomedical engineering from the University of Toronto.

Today, she is a recognised thought leader in digital health, access and equity. Her work has been acknowledged beyond her advisory roles. In 2020, Natasha was named a Top 50 Innovator by the World Summit AI community for her work reimagining health through artificial intelligence. She was named a Top 50 Women Leader of San Francisco in 2023, recognising her influence and leadership in healthcare.

Natasha succeeds Steven Hoffman, who served as Wellcome’s Chief of Staff and then Chief Strategy Officer while on a two-year secondment from his academic post at York University in Canada.

“Natasha brings exceptional global health experience, deep strategic insight and a strong foundation in science,” says John-Arne Røttingen, Wellcome's Chief Executive Officer. “She also brings extensive experience in applying data and digital technologies to global health challenges. With two decades of experience working across sectors, she is exceptionally well placed to help shape how we deliver on our ambitions. I’m delighted she is joining our Executive Committee at Wellcome.”

“We are deeply grateful for Steven’s immense contributions and impactful leadership. He has been instrumental in strengthening Wellcome and sharpening our strategic direction, which will enable us to deliver our global mission with even greater clarity, speed and impact.”

In her new role, Natasha will lead the development and support the delivery of Wellcome’s strategy and will oversee impact, working closely with the Executive Committee and teams across the organisation.

“In a period marked by constrained resources, shifting power and rapid scientific change, it’s essential that Wellcome has an adaptive strategy, strong partnerships and supports locally grounded leadership,” Natasha says.      

“An inclusive process that brings together diverse expertise, challenges assumptions and grounds decisions in evidence is crucial.”