Karen Bissell works in public health policy, research and evaluation for the National Public Health Service, New Zealand, as a Senior Advisor and Planner. At the School of Population Health, University of Auckland, as a Senior Lecturer, she directs a course in programme evaluation. At the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (1994-2017), she worked across asthma, tobacco control and tuberculosis in operational research projects and training, technical assistance, guide development and advocacy. She helped to develop and run the Asthma Drug Facility (providing access to quality-assured, affordable essential asthma medicines for low- and middle-income countries). Karen continues to advocate for asthma management and access to essential medicines as a member of the Global Asthma Network's Steering Group.