Dr. Esperanza Martinez

Dr. Martinez is the Head of Health and Human Security at the Australian National University (ANU). In this role, she fosters cross-disciplinary collaboration to address challenges that impact people and systems at national, regional, and global levels. Before joining ANU, Dr. Martinez spent eight years with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Geneva, five of which were as Head of Health. In this capacity, she led the provision of essential healthcare services to populations affected by armed conflict and violence in more than 80 countries. She also spearheaded complex crisis responses, including the COVID-19 pandemic and humanitarian efforts in Ukraine. A trained medical doctor and general surgeon from Colombia, Dr. Martinez specialized in International Public Health and Health Management in Australia. Her career includes over a decade of fieldwork in conflict-affected regions, along with roles with UN agencies, governments, and the private sector. Dr. Martinez is widely acknowledged for her leadership in global health, humanitarian action, and complex crisis management.