The Alliance Lift is a series that spotlights the journeys of Alliance alumni shaping health systems around the globe. In this Q&A, we meet Ms Livia Dal Zennaro, Senior Policy Officer at the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. But before that, Livia was a part of the Alliance Secretariat at WHO Headquarters in Geneva. Livia joined the Alliance right in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, but she didn’t miss a beat. She jumped in with quiet confidence and a real talent for getting things done, helping steer finances, contributing to technical work, and playing a key role in producing the 2021 Partners’ health policy and systems report.
We wanted to find out more about how Livia found the field of health policy and systems research (HPSR) and how her time at the Alliance informs how Livia approaches her current work.
Learning from the past
Q: If you had to describe your early career in just three words, what would they be and why?
Evolving, unplanned, collaborative. My path into HPSR was anything but linear. It wasn’t something I set out to do, but it found me. I first entered the field through a role at WHO, followed by my time at the Alliance. It’s been a constant process of growth and discovery, shaped by the generosity of people in the field, particularly my former colleagues at the Alliance.
Q: What first drew you to HPSR?
To be very honest, I entered the field somewhat by chance. I didn’t plan to work at the Alliance. But it introduced me to HPSR, and I found it deeply relevant and intellectually very engaging. Real change often happens through policy, that's what shapes health systems, where the most pressing challenges and solutions are. In hindsight, I see how HPSR gave me the tools to bridge gaps between research and implementation. It wasn’t a calling at the start, but it became a foundation that I still use today.
Q: How did your time with the Alliance shape your journey?
I would say the Alliance was the opportunity of a lifetime. It's where my passion for public health came to life. I had the opportunity to do a master's in public health while working there. Sometimes I wish I had discovered the field earlier in my academic journey, but the guidance I received at the Alliance, and the broader community, gave me the confidence to continue. In terms of research, now that I work at the ministry, I really understand the importance of it. It gave me an understanding of the complexities and how research and systems thinking can help to take a step back and approach things differently.
Living in the present
Q: How does your HPSR background influence your current role at the ministry?
It shapes how I think. I’ve learned to ask the right questions, the kind that get to the heart of complex issues. At the ministry, we're constantly navigating political and structural challenges. HPSR helps me see things from multiple perspectives and make sure that policy is grounded in the reality of people’s lives.
Q: What’s the most rewarding part of your work today?
Working together with stakeholders in the field – bringing them together to find effective solutions – is very rewarding. Also, facilitating collaboration within the ministry on international initiatives allows me to bridge gaps in a fragmented world. It’s about working together toward a shared goal and progress.
Q: Is there a project you're especially excited about right now?
I coordinate the work on the Dutch Global Health Hub, which came from the Dutch Global Health Strategy. It brings together initiatives, projects and stakeholders in global health in the Netherlands. We try to approach issues like health systems and climate change together, very relevant topics.
Levelling up for the future
Q: What advice would you give someone entering HPSR today?
Stay curious! Embrace the complexities of the field. HPSR is constantly evolving, so it's important to adapt and actually be the one driving change. Be open to new ideas and perspectives. Collaboration is key. Also, be patient. Change in health systems and policy takes time, but when it does happen, it’s very meaningful.
Q: What trends in HPSR are you most excited about?
I'm excited about the growing and deserved recognition that HPSR is receiving. Today’s world is questioning the values we thought we had. And in that context, HPSR can play a pivotal role – keeping a focus on equity and social justice, and providing practical solutions. It can offer frameworks for building health systems that are resilient for the future. As a policy-maker now, I see how crucial this is. We used to say it a lot at the Alliance: policy-makers are under pressure and very busy. I really see that now. But HPSR has given me tools to step back and think about how systems are shaped and how we can move forward.
Q: Any closing reflections?
I'm very excited about the Alliance Alumni Network. I think it can be a very special tool to broaden the scope of HPSR. It brings together professionals from many sectors and roles, reflecting the diversity of the field. Even when alumni move into different positions, like myself into policy-making, we can benefit from each other's experience and expertise. This network allows for collaboration and can help bridge the gap between research, policy, and practice.
