Team Member Spotlight: Brian Taliesin
By Tara Newton, Communications Associate, BID Initiative
Sep 8, 2015
Posted in General
The BID Initiative team works across three countries in the United States, Tanzania, and Zambia. This week, we learn more Brian Taliesin, Product Vision Technical Advisor in Seattle.
What is your role on BID? At the start of the BID Initiative, I helped craft the vision for the information system products being used. I am especially focused on the immunization supply chain and ensuring vaccines arrive in the right quantity and right condition when and where they are needed.
What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever done? It’s a longer story, but to woo my wife, Karen, of 24 years I walked across a bed of hot coals.
What’s your favorite indoor/outdoor activity? A quality that drew us to Seattle is its close proximity to the mountains and the ocean. One of our new favorite activities is sea kayaking.
If you could learn to do anything, what would it be? When I was younger, I had a goal of learning five languages. I just didn’t think it would be computer languages. Personally, I’d like to spend more time immersed in other countries and become fluent in something other than English.
What is one of your favorite quotes? With so many passionate people collaborating on complex problems, our route is not often a straight line. And at times, I feel we may be wandering off track. Our former director of PATH’s Vaccine Access and Delivery group, Kathy Neuzil said, “It’s not about being right. It’s about moving forward.” If we stay focused on the end goal, we’ll get there together.
What do you like most about your job? I like reading PATH’s vision as I arrive at the office each day and the opportunity to put it into action. There are so many ideas out there, yet only a few make that journey to scale. I am invigorated by the opportunity to work with ministries of health and our country offices to find the next innovation that shows promise not in just one clinic or a few districts, but seeing it adapted and used across multiple countries.
“Brian is truly dedicated to strengthening health systems and inspires those around him to push harder and look deeper for innovative technological solutions that will have lasting impact. He takes great care in doing his work, regularly going above and beyond expectations. He is incredibly generous with his time and expertise, always willing to give a few minutes to talk through a problem. His wit, kindness, and love of donuts are contagious and we are lucky to have him and his deep technical knowledge on the BID team.” – Breese Arenth, Project Specialist- Seattle & Hallie Goertz, Packaging and Training Lead-Seattle.