Professor Esperanza Martinez

Dr. Esperanza Martinez is a medical doctor and public health specialist who currently serves as a Professor of Practice and Head of Health and Human Security at the Australian National University. She brings over two decades of experience in global health, humanitarian action, and crisis management, including more than ten years directly delivering health and humanitarian responses in active conflict zones.

Before joining ANU, Dr. Martinez held senior leadership roles at the International Committee of the Red Cross in Geneva. As Head of Health, she led the delivery of essential health services across more than 80 countries affected by armed conflict. She also led the organisation’s global response to the COVID-19 pandemic and played a key role in its humanitarian operations in Ukraine.

In addition, she contributed to high-level institutional reforms aimed at strengthening operational resilience. She advises several global health organisations and boards, coaches emerging leaders, and is Co-Chair of the CHH-Lancet Commission on Health, Conflict and Forced Displacement.