Seth Kahan on Grand Challenges
Grand Challenges represent the wicked problems that society faces—complex, persistent, and difficult to solve due to incomplete, contradictory, and ever-changing demands. Yet, addressing them is essential for humanity and life on Earth to survive and thrive. My work is dedicated to confronting these monumental issues.
These challenges are too vast for any single mind to fully comprehend or solve. They are multi-dimensional, with deep systemic roots that are reflected in legislation, policies, social behavior, and even individual thoughts and mindsets. These factors limit our ability to effectively address them.
However, there are models and frameworks I’ve developed to help organizations and activists collaborate in making tangible progress. These stem from my experience at the World Bank, where I’ve witnessed both the successes and failures of multinational efforts, and from my work with Grand Challenges in sectors that include maternal health in Kenya, earth science, finance, nursing, and mental health.
Seth Kahan on Grand Challenges
“Grand Challenges” – A Visionary Conversation with Dale Cyr, CEO of Inteleos
In this powerful episode, Seth Kahan sits down with Dale Cyr, CEO of Inteleos, to explore how bold leadership, smart technology, and collaborative ecosystems are reshaping global healthcare—starting with portable ultrasound.
Cyr leads Inteleos, a nonprofit certifying over 150,000 healthcare professionals across 100 countries, with a mission rooted in patient safety through clinical proficiency. But this isn't just about credentials—it's about saving lives.
🚀 A Global “Moonshot”: Ultrasound Proficiency by 2030
The centerpiece of the conversation is Inteleos’ Ultrasound Proficiency Grand Challenge, an ambitious global effort to ensure all healthcare professionals using ultrasound are proficient by 2030. It’s a big goal—but it’s already producing results.
Cyr shares how the initiative launched in Kenya, where maternal mortality rates are alarmingly high. By collaborating with the Ministry of Health, local midwives, and over a dozen stakeholder groups, Inteleos helped create a national policy requiring education and certification for handheld ultrasound. The impact? Thousands of lives could be saved annually—especially mothers and babies in rural communities.
🩺 From Washing Machines to Smartphones
Cyr explains how ultrasound technology has gone from $250,000 machines the size of washing machines to $2,000 handheld devices that connect to smartphones. This game-changing shift is putting powerful diagnostic tools into the hands of midwives, nurses, and clinicians in remote areas, but only if they know how to use them properly—Inteleos’ core mission.
🌍 Building an Ecosystem, Not Just a Program
One of the most innovative aspects of the initiative is the use of “interaction field” thinking—a business model built on shared value and collaborative ecosystems. Cyr emphasizes that 95% of impactful change can’t be done alone. Instead, Inteleos partners with governments, equipment manufacturers, professional societies, and local communities to create win-win solutions where everyone contributes—and everyone benefits.
💡 Scaling with Vision, Tech, and Trust
The fastest policy adoption Dale has seen in his career—from pilot to national strategy in just two years.
He highlights:
How AI is becoming a “cognitive partner” at Inteleos, freeing professionals from repetitive tasks and unlocking creative, mission-driven work
Inteleos’ governance transformation to support global scaling and cross-sector impact
💬 Final Word: “We're In It for the Long Haul”
Cyr concludes with a call to action: though USAID funding was recently cut, Inteleos is pressing forward. The board has committed to continuing the Kenya initiative—and scaling across East Africa and beyond. For Dale, it’s not about temporary impact. It’s about sustainable, systemic change.
“We’re not here for a quick hit—we’re building lasting infrastructure that transforms lives.”
For all the podcasts, highlight videos, resources, and everything you want to know about Grand Challenges, click visit grandchallenges.info
