Ophelia Dahl

Ophelia Dahl is a British-American social justice advocate who focuses on healthcare. Her commitment to the cause began in 1983 when she volunteered at the Eye Care Haiti clinic in the impoverished Central Plateau of Haiti. It was there that she met Paul Farmer, and together, they co-founded Partners In Health (PIH), a non-profit organization devoted to providing a "preferential option for the poor."

Dahl's leadership at PIH spanned 16 years. She served as executive director from 2001 until her transition to the role of board chair in 2017, a position she currently holds. Under her guidance, PIH has seen significant growth, now offering its services in over 60 hospital centers worldwide.

Throughout her career, Dahl has received various accolades for her work, including the Union Medal from Union Theological Seminary in New York, which she received alongside Paul Farmer in 2006. She was also recognized for her role in the charity's response to the 2010 Haiti earthquake. Later, in 2019, Williams College bestowed upon her the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws. Her influence in the realm of health advocacy has been far-reaching, leading to her being named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by TIME in 2024.

Dahl's work, along with her team at Partners In Health, has also gained attention in the media. She was featured in the book "Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, a Man Who Would Cure the World" by Tracy Kidder, as well as in the 2017 documentary film "Bending The Arc."

Outside of her health advocacy, Dahl is chairman of Dahl & Dahl LLP, which manages the literary estate of her late father, the writer Roald Dahl. Additionally, she serves as vice president on the board of Roald Dahl’s Museum and Story Centre.