Dasho Dechen Wangmo officially joined The PEMA as the Head on 12th March 2024. Prior to The PEMA, Dasho served as the Health Minister, Royal Government of Bhutan from 2018 to 2023. During her public health career, Dasho Dechen has fulfilled several leadership positions in government and civil society, international organizations. Before joining politics in 2018, Dasho worked as a public health consultant with primary focus on health system, governance, and strategic planning for governments, Multilateral organizations and civil society organizations across Southeast Asia region. She brings her background working on various global health issues including mental health and primary health care system strengthening and governance to the current portfolio. Dasho is a strong advocate of universal health coverage and mental health service for all. Dasho has a Master in Public Health (Global health epidemiology) from Yale School of Public Health, USA and a Bachelor in Cardiopulmonary Science (magna cum laude) from Northeastern University, Boston, USA.