Meet Dr. Bethseba Peni, a leader at the forefront of public health in Papua New Guinea. As Provincial Disease Control Officer, Beth coordinates critical disease surveillance and outbreak response efforts that protect communities across the West New Britain Province. But her impact extends far beyond disease tracking, she’s shaping the next generation of epidemiologists, mentoring fellows and newly appointed faculty across human, animal, and environmental health sectors. Now, Beth is taking her dedication to mentorship and empowerment to the next level at the Global Leadership Summit, but she needs your support to get there.
My name is Bethseba Peni, and I currently serve as the Provincial Disease Control Officer (PDCO) for West New Britain Province and a Senior Faculty member of the One Health Frontline Field Epidemiology Training Program of Papua New Guinea (f-FETPNG).
In my role, I oversee disease surveillance, outbreak preparedness, and response coordination, while also mentoring and guiding frontline officers across the human, animal, and environmental health sectors. As a Senior Faculty member, I train and mentor fellows undertaking the program and provide coaching and professional support to newly appointed faculty, helping them develop confidence, teaching skills, and leadership capacity to deliver future cohorts.
Joining Homeward Bound is an opportunity to strengthen my leadership at both provincial and national levels. The program’s emphasis on collaboration, inclusivity, and evidence-based leadership strongly aligns with my daily work fostering cross-sectoral teamwork and empowering others—particularly women—to take on leadership roles in science and public health.
I plan to integrate the skills and knowledge gained from Homeward Bound into my work by championing mentorship, promoting inclusive decision-making, and enhancing the visibility of women leaders within our health system. Through this, I aim to create a supportive environment where fellows and emerging faculty can grow professionally, build confidence, and drive innovation in their own workplaces.
Ultimately, I hope to model a type of leadership that is grounded in empathy, collaboration, and purpose—one that inspires others to lead and strengthens the resilience of our provincial and national health systems.
Beth is currently fundraising for her trip to the Global Leadership Summit in Tanzania. You can donate via the Homeward Bound Scholarships fund, please specify Beth in the ‘Which project are you supporting’ question.