Jenita Parekh

Jenita provides direction and strategic guidance to the Breakthrough team, and technical expertise and support toward executing its vision. Jenita is a leader in ASRH and is dedicated to challenging harmful ASRH research. She has over 15 years of experience directing large implementation and impact evaluations and conducting training and technical assistance. She is a nationally recognized researcher in community–based approaches to research and is published in Prevention Science, Evaluation and Program Planning, Violence against Women, and the American Journal of Public Health. Jenita holds a PhD from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and an MPH in Community Health Practice from the University of Texas Health Science Center. Jenita is the daughter of Indian and South African immigrants. Growing up, she witnessed people being shamed for their sexuality and denied services. This motivated her to dedicate her career to ensuring that high–quality sexual and reproductive health care and programs are widely available, easy to use, and shame-free. She has a self-help book addiction, loves live country music, and is happiest spending soulful time with friends and family.