Global Perspectives on Digital Health Social impact in a time of scarcity, and the power of community
🚨 Nick Martin, social impact titan, one of the biggest voices out there in this space with a huge following and community, helping connect people to jobs, funding and much more. Founder and CEO of TechChange, working with funders, government and tech, and giving people the skills they need to create real impact.
We’ve talked a lot about the impacts of the USAID funding cuts on this podcast. Nick, who has worked shares his view on the impact on grantees, humans and more. We cover:
What have we learned about the things that went well with USAID, and what could be better in the future?
How do people affected think about their careers?
How do organizations adapt their vision, strategy and tactics in a world of scarcity, and be sustainable through this perma-uncertainty.
We also talked about the upcoming Global Digital Health Forum, a gathering that has been going strong for years, and why this year feels particularly important to bring people in global and digital health together. The next one at the time of recording is 3-5 December 2025, online and in Nairobi in person. If you're into Global Digital Helath and underserved communities, this is a great gathering to attend.
If you are working in this space, dealing with the uncertainty, either as an organization or an individual, then this podcast is for you.
Nick shares some of the wisdom and insights he has gained over the years, and why community across borders is such an integral part of how we shape what global digital health looks like in the next 10 years.
Check it out - share with others working in the space. Leave us a comment or review - it really helps us reach more people.
00:00 Intro : Nick's story
03:58 USAID cuts. Before, during, after : reflections from the development sector
21:13 Career transition advice
24:14 Funders need to step up more, but it's not that simple
26:34 TechChange origins
28:22 The Global Digital Health Forum : bringing people together
34:30 Fail festivals and creating the space to talk about failure
38:56 Wisdom corner : Nick's top tips
Liked this episode? What to listen to next:
- Episode 15: Implementation 101 and how to fail well
- Episode 16 : How the WHO is evolving
What to read next:
Check out my Substack : Can Global Health and Venture Capital Get Along?
About Nick
Nick Martin is the Founder and CEO of TechChange, a social enterprise that has become a leading provider of digital health training and convening solutions worldwide. Under his leadership, TechChange has trained thousands of Ministry of Health officials in more than 90 countries through flagship programs such as Digital Health: Planning National Systems, developed in partnership with USAID, WHO, and Digital Square.
He also leads the Global Digital Health Forum, the premier annual gathering for policymakers, donors, researchers, and implementers working at the intersection of technology and health. With two decades of experience in global development and public health, Nick has built partnerships with organizations including USAID, UNICEF, WHO, and the Gates Foundation. His work has been featured in outlets such as The Economist, Forbes, The New York Times, and Fast Company, highlighting his role in advancing digital health and social impact through technology.