On September 24, Seva stood before leaders at the United Nations General Assembly to make the case that systems-based eye care is one of the most powerful and lasting investments the world can make in human potential. I left the stage already thinking of all I hadn’t said, which may simply be the condition of anyone fortunate enough to speak for Seva. Ours is a story of abundance, rooted in science, driven by a steadfast love of humanity, and marked by a willingness to take thoughtful risks. I was grateful for the time we were given, and especially grateful that Nick Kristof was there to tell parts of that Seva Story far better than I ever could.
These moments matter because lasting change depends on shared conviction. We need governments in the countries we serve to create conditions that let our local partners reach their most vulnerable citizens, and we need the continued generosity of supporters in the United States and, increasingly, in Europe. Seva is not sustained by a single benefactor but by a broad community of people who believe sight is a right, and we work to earn that trust every day. New York was not a finish line. It was the starting gun for the final stretch of the five-year advocacy agenda Seva has helped shape, and in many ways led, for the global eye care sector, an agenda we are determined to see through by 2030.
At Seva, compassion has always meant pursuing the most effective path to real, measurable impact. Today, that commitment shows up in AI-powered screening and retinal imaging, stronger local workforces and Vision Centers that bring care closer to home, and research that shows where our investments will do the most good. Through our Innovation Challenge, we are backing the next generation of ideas from clinicians, researchers, and entrepreneurs, and you’ll meet five of the winning teams in this issue of Spirit of Service.
Behind every innovation is a deeply human outcome: a child who can see the board at school, a parent who can return to work, an older adult who can live with independence. For Janabai, it meant seeing her great-granddaughter’s face for the first time. Last year, 10.5 million people received care through Seva-supported programs, each one a life changed by compassion joined with evidence and action. Thank you for helping bring the most powerful ideas in eye care to the people who need them most.
With gratitude,
Kate Moynihan
CEO/Executive Director
About the author
Kate Moynihan
Kate Moynihan is an impassioned leader and decision-maker who has overseen programs in networked organizations and social enterprises in resource-constrained settings, internationally and in the United States. She is a catalyst for institutional and systems change, partnering successfully with diverse international organizations to deliver world-class leadership for mission-based social justice around the globe. Throughout Kate’s career, she has shown an unwavering commitment to improving the lives of people living in disadvantaged, marginalized segments of the world. Kate currently serves as CEO / Executive Director of the Seva Foundation, a non-profit organization based in Berkeley, California that transforms lives by restoring sight to individuals in areas with limited access to eye care.
