Dr. Meghana Ray

Meghana Ray, Ph.D., MBA is a seasoned health systems strategist and global researcher whose leadership has shaped programs across complex health ecosystems in the U.S., India, and Haiti. Her work spans the health system lifecycle continuum - design, implementation, evaluation, capacity building, and systems transformation - with a consistent focus on improving equity, resilience, and impact.

With a career that bridges academia, government, managed care, and public-private partnerships, Dr. Ray brings a uniquely integrative perspective to solving entrenched health challenges through applied research. She has held key academic appointments in Schools of Pharmacy and Public Health across the U.S. and India, building institutional capacity and training the next generation of health leaders.

In her federal career, Dr. Ray served as a consultant to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and later as a Social Science Analyst at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), where she brought systems-level insights to improve multiple national mental and behavioral health data systems, develop engagement with state stakeholders, and drive novel research and analytical projects.

A recognized thought leader in cross-sector collaboration and knowledge translation, Dr. Ray has authored over 40 peer-reviewed articles, 4 book chapters, and 2 edited volumes, and has delivered more than 60 invited talks and presentations nationally and internationally. She has cultivated international knowledge networks and employs multidisciplinary approaches and digital solutions to enhance and empower organizations.

Her systems thinking approach is grounded in rigorous research methodologies, stakeholder engagement, and a commitment to advancing data-driven decision-making. Dr. Ray’s work consistently aims to build stronger, more adaptive health systems—locally and globally—that center client needs, equity, and long-term sustainability.