Principal Consultant 

Dr. Joan Castro is a medical doctor, public health leader, and advocate for Population, Health, and Environment (PHE) integration. With over two decades of experience bridging the health and environmental sectors, she champions holistic development approaches that address public health challenges while promoting environmental conservation and sustainability.
Dr. Castro has been instrumental in pioneering innovative programs such as the Integrated Population and Coastal Resource Management Program in the Philippines, which serves as a global model for linking family planning, reproductive health, and environmental management to improve the health and resilience of coastal communities. Her efforts have gained national and international recognition, contributing to global dialogues on sustainable development and multisectoral strategies.

As the Executive Vice President of PATH Foundation Philippines, Inc. and convener of the Philippines PHE Network, Dr. Castro leads efforts to promote integrated solutions in areas like HIV/AIDS prevention, family planning, water and sanitation, and nutrition. She began her career as a Medical Officer, transitioning to community-based public health initiatives that address diverse health and development challenges.
Dr. Castro is a licensed physician with a medical degree from Virgen Milagrosa University Foundation and a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of the Philippines. She has advanced training in STD and HIV research, behavioral sciences, and community interventions, and is an International Family Planning Leadership Fellow.