This summer I supported Neopenda, an organization whose vision is to pioneer health care in emerging markets, bringing innovative needs-based products to underserved populations in an impactful and sustainable way.

During my fellowship, I worked on developing a data management strategy for the company. As Neopenda was approaching launch of its first medical device, it was becoming critical to define a framework for the usage of data generated by the company to ensure the value generated is fully leveraged and the way data is used is ethical and compliant with existing regulations. One area that I explored was potential monetization of data assets, as there was a belief that data collected through Neopenda’s medical devices could create value for key decision-makers to improve health care and patient outcomes in emerging markets. I leveraged publications, articles, regulations, and expert insights to gather information on best practices and derive recommendations for Neopenda. My report touched on market definition and opportunities, technical requirements, data monetization, ethical and regulatory compliance, and implementation considerations.

As an MBA student, I applied a lot of the knowledge and skills learned in the classroom. I used the knowledge developed during our classes of LEAD, strategy formulation, strategy of economic behavior, business analytics, and marketing. For example, I had to define the market opportunity and truly evaluate Neopenda’s strategic positioning to enter and succeed in the health care data segment. Moreover, I considered different types of analytics Neopenda could be using on its data leveraging skills learned during our coursework.

One of the key challenges I faced this summer was the time difference, as I was located in Europe while part of my team was in the United States and the rest in Uganda. The time difference somehow minimized interactions and sometimes prevented me from joining discussions that I would have loved to participate in. Moreover, working in a startup is very different from what I have been used to in a large consulting firm. While the team was always available, there was certainly a lot on everyone’s plate. Instead of a challenge, I viewed this as an opportunity as I was given a lot of independence and ownership on my work. Finally, working in emerging markets is always a challenge as there is very limited availability of data and information, which can be frustrating at times.

I am truly grateful to have been given the opportunity to support Neopenda over the summer and this experience has definitely surpassed my expectations. My goal was to work in a dynamic environment, see how a startup works on a day-to-day basis and contribute to a cause I deeply cared about. This experience allowed me to achieve my targets by working with a highly capable and motivated team while giving me the opportunity to learn about a topic I am passionate about – leveraging data and analytics in health care.