Francis Thaddeus (Todd) Lazaro ’21

Health Specialist with the World Bank

Todd Lazaro began his career in the Philippines as a public health student working alongside underserved communities to improve equitable access to health. That experience set him on a path that led to Washington, D.C. Through the Fr. Bienvenido Nebres, S.J. Scholarship, open to individuals from the Philippines and those committed to advancing health and development in the country, Todd pursued and completed his M.S. in Global Health at Georgetown as the second recipient of the scholarship.

He credits the program for equipping him with the tools and thinking he continues to use today. Equally valuable was the opportunity to be exposed to field realities inside and outside the classroom, which reinforced the importance of building solutions in partnership with communities. The Georgetown community has been an important part of his journey. Classmates are now peers and colleagues in the field, while faculty are still trusted advisors.

Today, he serves as a Health Specialist at the World Bank, working with organizations such as WHO and Resolve to Save Lives on epidemic preparedness. This includes designing new lifesaving approaches, such as 7-1-7 and the Early Action Review, now used globally.