Meet Subha Sundaram | HEPA- Founder of Health Economic Policy Advocates

We had the good fortune of connecting with Subha Sundaram and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Subha, what’s the end goal, career-wise?
By the end of my career, I envision myself at the forefront of health economic policy, leading efforts to reshape the way healthcare systems are funded, structured, and optimized for impact. Whether it’s through government agencies like HHS, CMS, or WHO, research institutions like Harvard or Duke, or even a think tank dedicated to healthcare economics, my goal is the same: to create data-driven, cost-effective policies that make healthcare more accessible, sustainable, and equitable.

What should our readers know about your business?
From the very start of my journey, I’ve been driven by one core question: How can economic policy be used to improve health outcomes, especially for students and underserved populations? Through my work with Health Economic Policy Advocates (HEPA), I’ve come to see firsthand how financial and policy decisions directly shape the accessibility and quality of healthcare. But this is just the beginning.

At Health Economic Policy Advocates (HEPA), we believe that smart economic policy is the key to better healthcare outcomes—especially for students and underserved populations. While many organizations focus on healthcare access, few approach it from an economic and policy-driven perspective. That’s where we stand apart. Our mission is to bridge the gap between health policy, economic sustainability, and real-world impact by advocating for data-driven solutions that make healthcare more accessible and cost-effective.

What makes us unique is our multidisciplinary approach. We don’t just talk about health economics—we actively engage with policymakers, researchers, and student advocates to develop practical, scalable solutions.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Breakfast: Atlanta Breakfast Club – Gotta kick things off right with some peach cobbler French toast or their legendary chicken & waffles.

Morning: The BeltLine to rent bikes or just walk the Eastside Trail, stopping to check out the murals and street performers.

Lunch: Ponce City Market – Food hall heaven. Maybe we go for H&F Burger or Botiwalla for Indian street food, my favorite.

Afternoon: Skyline Park – Right upstairs at PCM, we’ll play vintage carnival games and take in the skyline views.

Dinner: Staplehouse – If we’re feeling fancy, this is one of the best restaurants in the country.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to credit my co founder, Shivi Mehta, who has been integral to HEPA since its start. She is a big part in a lot of our advancements and she has been such a driving force in part.

Website: https://hepaofficial.org