Maria Eugenia is a global health consultant with more than two decades of experience in public health policy and a strong scientific background. She co-founded The Round Group to address systemic health and equity challenges and empower future generations of women and minority leaders. As the Policy & Stakeholder Partnerships Lead, she applies systems thinking to design cross-sector engagement strategies. She has delivered successful projects for a variety of impactful organizations such as WHO/EURO, PAHO, CDC Foundation, multinational pharmaceutical and biotech companies, food & beverages companies, and international and community-based NGOs, including patient advocacy groups. During her extensive leadership role in a health policy consulting firm, she oversaw the company's performance, growth strategy, and talent development, while managing a diverse portfolio of projects across multiple countries and policy areas. Her career spans microbiology & biotechnology research, social marketing and health communications, and policy analysis and advocacy, with a focus on strengthening health systems, enhancing equity and quality in healthcare, and advancing cross-sector partnerships. She serves as a public representative of the Montgomery County Board of Social Services, an advisory committee member of AcademyHealth’s Global Health and Health Care Interest Group, a member UNICEF Roster of Experts on leadership, management, coordination, and strategic planning, and a member of the U.S. Pharmacopeia’s DEIB Expert Panel, where she is currently aligned to the Collaborative Group on Dietary Supplements and Herbal Medicines Foods. Maria Eugenia holds an M.P.H. in global health policy from The George Washington University and a B.Sc. in Physiology and Neurobiology from the University of Maryland.