As part of this change, the board of Viya Health has announced that Marcie Cook, who led the development of Viya Health from its inception, has been named President. Cook’s leadership has been instrumental in shaping Viya Health’s vision, evolution, and impact, and in this new role, she will drive the company’s continued innovation and expansion.

As a founding force behind Viya Health, Cook has played a critical role in guiding the company’s transformation from a product seller to a digital health platform, leveraging AI and data-driven insights to provide women with personalized, accessible healthcare solutions. Incubated within Population Services International (PSI), Viya Health’s revenue doubled under Marcie’s early leadership.  Now, as Viya President, she will continue to drive growth, category and product expansion, and partnerships, ensuring Viya Health continues to lead a revolution in Women’s Health.

“Marcie Cook has been the driving force behind Viya Health since day one,” said HealthX Partners CEO Karl Hofmann.  “Her leadership, vision, and deep understanding of women’s health have been fundamental to our success. As Viya President, she will continue to shape the future of our company and advance our mission to uplift women through technology.”

Cook brings 25+ years of experience in healthcare, technology, and innovation across Asia, Africa and Latin America. “As a woman and a leader, I am very excited about what we have been able to build within PSI, and as Viya Health becomes an independent part of the HealthX partners group, I am honored to step into the role of President for this next phase of Viya’s journey,” said Cook. “As a social business already at scale, reaching tens of millions of women daily through social media, on shelves with our range of products and through our partnerships our business is challenging norms related to women’s health and what that journey can be like. Our vision is to make the sexual health journey fun, supportive and less confusing. I’m excited to continue leading our team in developing smarter and more accessible solutions that put women in control of their health.”

Viya Health is a social business, developed and grown within PSI, that is blazing a radical new approach to healthcare. Using a consumer-centric, tech-enabled platform as well as a flexible finance model, it exists to support women to make and own their health choices through a continuum of access to high-quality affordable sexual health products, tools and services in a supportive ecosystem and as part of a virtual community.

Using tech as well as its own lifestyle brand platform, VIYA, to gain real-time consumer data and insights, Viya Health designs and delivers sexual health products and services with women and for women in ways that meet their needs throughout their lifecycle. Operating as a globally-led, locally-operated network of social business enterprises across 26 markets, Viya Health’s purpose-driven, profit-positive approach is a progressive way of achieving impact at scale.

At its heart, Viya Health believes that when women thrive, the world thrives. By supporting women to become self-reliant in their health choices, this social business is helping them to realize their potential and contribute fully towards a better, more resilient world.

“As we enter an exciting new phase at Viya Health, we couldn’t be more excited to have Marcie Cook at the helm. Her proven track record building Viya Health during her tenure at PSI and her dedication to advancing women’s healthcare will be instrumental in shaping the future of our company. We look forward to her strategic vision as we continue to revolutionize how women’s healthcare is delivered,” said Viya Health chairman Mike Joubert.

HealthX Partners is a nonprofit organization established to advance global health outcomes and promote health equity. Launched in January 2025, it serves as a parent company to its founding subsidiaries, Population Services International (PSI) and the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF), now Viya Health. HealthX Partners aims to harness collective expertise to innovate in global health, respond to the sector’s evolving needs, and emphasize integrated healthcare services, systems strengthening, sustainability, and local leadership.

Media Contact:

Nadia Afrin, Director of Communications, PSI

Nafrin@psi.org

The post Viya Health Joins HealthX Partners; Marcie Cook Named as President to Lead Next Phase of Viya Health Growth first appeared on PSI.

By Natalie Fellows (she/her)

Every nonprofit wants donors who are deeply connected to the work they fund—supporters who don’t just write checks but are invested in the mission. But this requires organizations to do something they find uncomfortable: asking donors to change.  

This may seem counterintuitive. Nonprofits are experts at fulfilling donor needs, not the other way around. But deep engagement requires a shift in the traditional funder-grantee dynamic. It means stepping away from viewing donors as patrons and inviting them in as partners. 

Asking donors to rethink the funder-grantee relationship 

Nonprofits are used to keeping donors at arm’s length, presenting their successes—the beautiful mosaic—while concealing the individual tiles that make that successful impact possible. This approach projects a polished image but limits donors’ understanding of the nuances and complexity that underlie the work. It also perpetuates a one-sided dynamic where nonprofits deliver while donors remain passive recipients. 

If we want donors to engage deeply, they need to see beyond the curated highlight reel. They need to understand the wins and struggles that shape meaningful impact. This level of transparency requires effort and commitment from both sides to the relationship and a learning journey where donors are willing to grow and adapt alongside the nonprofit. Nonprofits need to feel confident sharing challenges and failures without the fear of losing support. 

Building authentic partnerships 

Forging these partnerships starts with rethinking the transactional nature of most donor relationships and for nonprofits to consider what donors can contribute beyond money—their time, trust, and curiosity. Over the years, I’ve found three practices particularly effective in fostering these connections: 

1. Set clear expectations. From the very first interaction, it’s important to align on partnership values and expectations. As senior manager of impact at the Maverick Collective by PSI, I tell potential donors that my role is to align their passions with work that is strategic and meaningful—not to create programs simply to secure funding. The work must first and foremost benefit the communities we serve. This foundational understanding enables us to navigate potentially tricky situations with clarity and mutual respect.  

For example, imagine a donor proposes a health intervention that we know won’t be effective. I can revisit our initial conversation and say something like: “You know that my priority is ensuring we achieve the greatest impact. While I value your input, let’s explore why the intervention you’ve suggested might not help us reach that goal.” This approach centers our shared commitment to impact and fosters trust, even in difficult conversations. 

2. Address power dynamics. Secondly, many donors have never considered how their influence might shape the work. By asking donors to discuss power dynamics early on, nonprofits can foster a sense of partnership over hierarchy. The impact of these conversations can be transformative, helping donors see their role as collaborators rather than overseers. And in exchange for their respect and trust, we provide proximity and transparency. We tell donors that in reporting on their funding, we’ll share not only successes but also failures. This approach transforms traditional donor engagement tools into opportunities for connection: 

• Reports include challenges, lessons learned, and course corrections. 
• Update calls begin with the personal—taking time to talk about our families and lives—and end with mutual gratitude. 
• Site visits focus on learning and collaboration, equip donors with resources to show up as engaged partners, and help donors gain a deeper appreciation for complexities on the ground. 

3. Cultivate a culture of authentic engagement. It’s important to acknowledge this approach isn’t for everyone. Deep engagement is resource-intensive for both donors and nonprofits. It’s best suited for donors who give at a high level and express a desire for meaningful involvement. For other donors, lighter-touch strategies remain essential.  

Establishing a dynamic of deep engagement requires intentionality, leadership buy-in, and an enabling organizational culture. Program staff often need support to feel comfortable sharing challenges or failures with donors. Leadership must be prepared to have difficult conversations or even decline funding if it doesn’t align with the organization’s mission.  

But when it fits, these relationships can lead to long-term partnerships that allow for transformative work. At Maverick Collective by PSI, we’ve seen donors: 

• Advocate for our work within their networks, introducing us to new opportunities. 
• Transition from project funders to organizational leaders. 
• Reinvest with full flexibility, trusting our teams to determine how best to use the funds. 

When nonprofits take the bold step of asking donors to engage in new ways, the relationship moves beyond transactions to partnership rooted in shared values, mutual growth, and a commitment to impact. For those willing to embrace this approach, the rewards—for both the nonprofit and the donor—are worth the effort. 

Read the original article here.

The post The one thing to ask of donors for true engagement   first appeared on PSI.

PSI’s Marcie Cook, Vice President of Social Business and Global Operations, had the pleasure of joining the System Catalysts podcast to discuss how social enterprises are transforming healthcare access in underserved communities. During the conversation, she shared PSI’s journey in developing VIYA Health, our innovative platform that’s revolutionizing how people access sexual and reproductive healthcare across seven markets.

Through VIYA Health, we’re building a more holistic approach that meets people where they are – whether they’re seeking information about puberty, family planning, or menopause. The System Catalysts episode delves into how social enterprises can bridge critical healthcare gaps while remaining financially sustainable. We explore the importance of constant consumer feedback, the power of digital platforms in healthcare delivery, and why treating people as whole individuals – rather than a collection of medical conditions – is crucial for effective healthcare.

One key lesson from our work: success in system change requires grit, perseverance, and most importantly, the humility to put aside our own solutions in favor of what communities actually need. Listen to the full episode to learn more about how PSI is working to make healthcare more accessible, holistic, and responsive to community needs.

Listen to the podcast here.

The post Reimagining Healthcare Through Social Enterprise first appeared on PSI.

By Alexander Puutio

One-off days of giving like Giving Tuesday may dominate headlines and social media feeds, but there’s much more to charitable giving than the Tuesday after Thanksgiving.

In fact, there is an entire world of quiet giving that doesn’t seek the spotlight, and in that world a great transformation is taking place; the rise of women-led giving.

Whether it’s through targeted projects, grassroots movements, or simply bringing new approaches to traditional ways of making charitable investments, women are stepping into roles as architects of social change in ways their predecessors weren’t able to.

The result is a positively diversified landscape of giving that promises to do more good than before, with targets and approaches that target a wider range of beneficiaries.

“It’s not just that women are writing checks where they hadn’t before,” explains Amy Marks Dornbusch, a longtime philanthropist and founder of new social venture AtlasDaughters. “We’re thinking critically about where our dollars go, the structural barriers that exist, and how we can address them in sustainable ways, and this is driving a tangible change in how the philanthropic industry operates.”

Read the full article here.

The post How the Rise of Women-Led Giving is Changing Philanthropy first appeared on PSI.

Mawogola County North Member of Parliament, Shartsi Musherure, has pledged to push the Public Relations Practitioners’ Bill in Parliament.

Musherure made this commitment while presiding over the PRAU Awards 2024 at the Protea Hotel in Kampala on Friday.

“As you may be aware, some months ago, I was approached by two senior members of PRAU—Ms. Helen Kawesa and Mr. Stephen Mwanga—with a request that I assist PRAU in moving the Public Relations Practitioners’ Bill in the Parliament of Uganda as a Private Members’ Bill. I would like to inform you that I have already given this request a positive consideration. I received a copy of the Bill. I have read it and realised that it is a good thing for both you, the PR professionals, and Uganda at large. It has also come to attention that this is one of the key professional areas in Uganda that is not regulated by any law. I notice that the Bill will, among others, aims to assist the Government of Uganda and the courts, on all matters affecting Public Relations practice in Uganda. It is also clear that the Bill will assist the Government and institutions of higher learning in training Public Relations professionals in the country; assist the Government, organisations, and members of the public in identifying professional Public Relations Practitioners to transact with. The Bill will streamline Public Relations practice in the country; and will protect and assist members of the Public Relations profession in Uganda in terms of their conditions of practice and otherwise,” said Musherure.

According to Musherure, the Awards are “ a very important event for professional bodies like PRAU because Awards such as these can be a highly effective way to honour the good work of PR professionals.”

“I am very confident that these Awards will inspire PR practitioners to work to their highest potential.  Awards enhance PR professionals’ credibility; they show that the PR professionals’ work meets high standards,” added Musherure. She commended the PRAU Governing Council and “all of you, PR professionals in Uganda for embracing Awards because, as you may know, such awards greatly contribute to increased visibility; they also support new business opportunities for the winners.”

Plus, she said that “Awards of this nature motivate PR practitioners, boost morale, and encourage excellence.”

Musherure said: “I, therefore, congratulate all the winners and all the other contestants who participated in this process. As stated earlier, I would like to clearly state that I have already given this request positive consideration. I would like to assure you of my willingness and commitment to support PRAU on this front.”

The President of PRAU, Tina Wamala, the Awards celebrate “the best of the best in our industry.”

The night was hosted under the theme “Recognising Innovation.”

“Innovation is at the heart of everything we do as PR professionals. It is the spark that ignites creativity, the fuel that drives progress, and the fire that burns within us to constantly strive for excellence. As we celebrate the innovative work of our peers tonight, let us also remember the importance of innovation in our own work. Let us continue to push the boundaries of what is possible, to experiment with new ideas, and to strive for excellence in everything we do,” said Wamala.

The Awards

Lifetime Achievement Award – Henry Rugamba.

Social Media/Digital Communication Campaign – Population Services International (PSI).

Not for profit campaign of the Year – Population Services International (PSI)

Corporate Communication Campaign of the Year – MediaAge PR

Public Affairs Campaign of the Year – UMEME

Media Relations & Media Management Campaign of the Year – Brainchild BCW

CSR & ESG Campaign of the Year – UBL

Crisis Communication Management Campaign of the Year – Equity Bank Uganda

Internal Communications Campaign of the year – EACOP

PR Agency of the Year 2024 –  MediaAge PR

Young Communicator of the Year – Ivan Darlington Mwebe

Read the full article here.

The post PRAU Awards 2024: Full List of Winners as Shartsi Musherure Pledges to Push Public Relations Practitioners’ Bill in Parliament first appeared on PSI.

In candid conversation, Maverick Collective’s Rena Greifinger and EdelGive Foundation’s Vidya Shah share their bold vision for transforming philanthropy.

‘We’re trying to disrupt the status quo.’

That’s Rena Greifinger, Managing Director of Maverick Collective, speaking with Vidya Shah, Executive Chairperson of the EdelGive Foundation. These two philanthropic leaders are in conversation about reimagining how philanthropy is done.

Read the full article here.

The post Two Women Disrupting the Future of Giving first appeared on PSI.

By Goodness Amadi

To address concerns on Menstrual Health and Hygiene (MHH), a new campaign, combining music, film ad advocacy is aimed at shattering the silence.
Population Services International (PSI) Nigeria, in partnership with Afrobeats superstar Yemi Alade and a stellar cast of Nollywood actors, has launched a powerful short film titled “Time of the Month” and a captivating new single.

The short film features a talented ensemble including Aisha Lawal, Liquorose Afije, Mary Remmy Njoku, Ibrahim Suleiman, Mike Ezuruonye, and Femi Branch. The film is a cinematic masterpiece that uses storytelling and music to address the often-stigmatized topic of menstruation.
Yemi Alade’s new single, also titled “Time of the Month,” is an empowering anthem that celebrates womanhood and tackles the challenges faced by many women during their menstrual cycle.

Both the music video and short film are available on PSI creatives Nigeria’s YouTube channel.
According to the NGO, they chose to collaborate with these influential Nigerian artists due to their prominence, credibility, relatability, and passion for women’s health.

PSI Nigeria representative, Pritpal Marjara said, “Yemi Alade, a Grammy-nominated artist, is known for her powerful music and impact on the African music scene, making her an authentic voice for women. The talented cast and crew share a similar commitment to promoting women’s health and breaking down stigma.”
PSI believes this partnership will significantly impact public perception of menstrual health in Nigeria. By leveraging the influence of these celebrities, the campaign aims to challenge deeply rooted myths and misconceptions surrounding menstruation. This support will empower girls and women to prioritize their menstrual health without shame.

Read the full article here.

The post PSI Nigeria Leads Campaign to Address Menstrual Health first appeared on PSI.

HERHealthEQ is excited to release the third episode in our series with PSI, a network of locally-led, globally-connected organizations that are passionate about making it easier for people to lead healthier lives.

Join HERHealthEQ CEO Marissa Fayer, as she moderates an insightful conversation with PSI’s Managing Director of the Maverick Collective & Director of Individual Philanthropy, Rena Greifinger.

This series will delve in depth into the 3 key areas of concern for women globally, as it pertains to their health; Voice, Choice and Agency. In the third episode, join us for a discussion on how flexible funding supports women’s agency today and into the future.

It could take up to 300 years at the current rate of progress to achieve equity for women and girls today. Learn about the mission of the Maverick collective and HERhealthEQ’s joint investment in women and girls.

Listen to the podcast here.

The post Agency: How flexible funding supports women’s agency today and in the future first appeared on PSI.

HERHealthEQ is excited to release our series with PSI, a network of locally-led, globally-connected organizations that are passionate about making it easier for people to lead healthier lives. This series will delve in depth into the 3 key areas of concern for women globally, as it pertains to their health; Voice, Choice and Agency.

Everyday, women experience a vast disconnect between the expectations of their roles and the way society sets the path for them. There is a lack of investment in entrepreneurship, a disregard for climate concerns, limitations on sexual reproductive health rights, and a fenced-off financial landscape. Listen in to hear more about the impacts of structural barriers and social determinants on the health lives of women and girls around the world.

In this second episode, Choice, hear a discussion on digital health, cultural impact and customization, corporation’s support of localized philanthropy and much more.

Listen to the podcast here.

The post Choice: How Digital Health Innovation Supports Her Choices, Her Life, Her Future first appeared on PSI.

“I was instilled with this idea that I come from a lot of privilege and lot of ease in my own life, and to use that as power to clear the barriers for others to exercise their own privilege and power.”

Rena Greifinger has used her power and privilege to help some of the most underrepresented and marginalized people in the world. Director of Individual Philanthropy and Managing Director of the Maverick Collective by Population Services International or PSI, Rena joined PSI twelve years ago with a mission of working for the dignity of people affected by stigmatized issues.

Whether that’s HIV/AIDS or helping women get access to contraception and family planning or helping communities upgrade sanitation, Rena puts people at the center.

Listen to the podcast here.

The post Musings with Rena Greifinger first appeared on PSI.