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Former CDC Director susan Monarez Charts New Course in Private Sector, Launches Substack
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A pivotal figure in public health, Susan Monarez, is embarking on a new chapter after a contentious departure from her role as director of the Centers for Disease Control and prevention. Monarez revealed her future plans at the HLTH conference, expressing enthusiasm for applying her two decades of experience to the private sector and launching a new platform for sharing stories of resilience.
From Public Service to Private Innovation
speaking on Tuesday at the HLTH conference alongside Dr. Jordan Shlain, founder and executive chairman of Private medical, Monarez described her excitement about transitioning “to the outside.” She emphasized her eagerness to leverage her extensive understanding of technology investment and scaling to drive impact in the private sector.”I think that now, having accumulated 20 years’ worth of understanding of, how do you actually invest in different technology, and how do you take it to scale and have an impact with it, I’m excited now to contribute that knowledge directly into the private sector,” she stated.
Monarez’s career in goverment spanned multiple agencies. Prior to leading the CDC, she served as deputy director for the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health – a federal agency focused on breakthroughs in cancer and other diseases – and as a science advisor for the Department of Homeland Security. She holds a PhD in microbiology and immunology. Reflecting on her time in public service, Monarez called it “such an extraordinary privilege.”
A Contentious Exit and Calls for Accountability
Monarez’s tenure at the CDC was cut short after less than a month in the role, following her Senate confirmation. The White House cited a lack of alignment with the administration’s priorities, while Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. publicly questioned her trustworthiness.
Testifying before a U.S. Senate committee, Monarez revealed she was pressured to approve changes to vaccine policy without sufficient evidence and resisted calls to dismiss qualified scientific personnel. She also warned against Kennedy’s push for alterations to vaccine protocols. Her firing prompted resignations from other CDC leaders and spurred Democratic lawmakers and medical groups to demand accountability from the administration.Healthcare organizations had previously voiced strong criticism of Kennedy’s policies and personnel decisions.
Despite the circumstances of her departure, Monarez garnered widespread praise for her commitment to scientific integrity and public health.
New Ventures: consulting and “The Road Best Traveled”
Now,Monarez is focusing on consulting with organizations developing scalable and impactful technologies. She expressed a desire to collaborate with private sector groups to explore innovative applications of artificial intelligence and other technologies on a global scale.”Is there something that we can be using differently to accelerate how we’re using AI or other technologies to have an impact globally?” she posed.
Beyond consulting, Monarez is also venturing into the world of digital media. She announced the launch of a Substack publication titled “The Road Best Traveled,” describing it as “an ode to individuals who have persevered through headwinds.” The publication will focus on individuals in the health sector and beyond who have faced difficult decisions and demonstrated resilience.
Monarez intends to interview “pivotal, visionary leaders and heroes,” exploring their sources of inspiration and strategies for navigating challenging circumstances. She aims to highlight stories of optimism and determination, countering cynicism with narratives of positive change. “It’s easy to be cynical,” she acknowledged. “But I want to talk with the people who are being optimistic, the people who continue to say: ‘Well, we can do this, we can do better. We can actually contribute extraordinary things.'”
